HC Deb 29 February 1944 vol 397 cc1249-51
59. Mr. Granville

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether all the completed air-raid shelters in London of the large type are available for present use.

The Secretary of State for the Home Department (Mr. Herbert Morrison)

The Government have naturally kept this matter under review. Deep shelter construction was authorised by the Government at the height of the blitz of 1940–41, in anticipation of the possibility of still heavier all-night air attacks in 1941–42. This provision on a limited scale and not necessarily for local residents was made as an insurance or reserve for such a contingency. That contingency has not yet arisen, but we have recently been subjected to short and sharp raids, which have been by no means as long nor as heavy as in 1940–41.

For two reasons it has been decided, after consideration, not to open these deep shelters for public use, at any rate at this juncture. Firstly, there is a sufficiency of shelter of various kinds now available on an "alert."' Steps have been taken since 1941 further to strengthen surface shelters and recent experience has shown that they afford very good protection: more use might with advantage be made of them. Secondly, some of the deep shelter accommodation is equipped and reserved, and more may have to be equipped and reserved, for the accommodation of vital operational war services which must be maintained continuously in action in all circumstances. I am sure that these considerations will be well understood by the people of London, to whose courage, resource and public spirit on this, as on earlier occasions, I would wish to pay my tribute.

Mr. Granville

While thanking the Home Secretary for that very full answer, might I ask whether he will look into the question of putting more bunks into underground stations?

Mr. H. Morrison

I will consider that. There was an adjustment made during the lull period because there are traffic difficulties. I will look into the point.

Mr. R. C. Morrison

Has not the recent return of bombing shown again that the safest place for the public to shelter is in or near their own homes, rather than collecting in large numbers in these shelters?

Mr. H. Morrison

I entirely agree with my hon. Friend; and, judging by the conduct of most of them, I think that is the general view of the people of London.

Major Sir Jocelyn Lucas

Are not people in the surface shelters much more likely to be able to help fire guards in an emergency?

Mr. H. Morrison

That is also a point for consideration. Increasing numbers of citizens are on duty on the surface, of course, and if we did get to the point of a universal demand for deep shelters, we could not meet it; and if we did, we should gravely impede the defence.

Mr. Maxton

Are there not thousands of youngsters back in London, who are not wanted for fireguard or anything else, and who could go down into these deep shelters?

Mr. H. Morrison

In regard to deep shelter accommodation, that is the principle on which we go, but it does not always come off.

Mr. Maxton

What about one shelter in my constituency, which has never been used at all?

Mr. H. Morrison

My hon. Friend, I think, did not listen to my answer.

Mr. Granville

Will the right hon. Gentleman see that the greatest publicity is given to this matter, particularly in the London area, as a great number of people have been doubtful and anxious about the matter on which the right hon. Gentleman has now given information?

Mr. H. Morrison

I quite agree. I hope that the most extensive publicity will be given to it. My experience is that if there is a good reason, people will respond; but they want to know why.

Mr. E. Walkden

Will my right hon. Friend see that small children and women, such as were on the platforms of underground stations last night, sleeping on the floor, are directed to more comfortable shelters, which exist nearby, but of which, apparently, they do not know? Will he see that information about such shelters is conveyed to them, so that this nuisance may be removed?

Mr. H. Morrison

I am sure the wardens do their best. Londoners are very well behaved, but if I ordered them about too much, perhaps they would not be so good.

Mr. Thorne

Have all the Ministers deep air-raid shelters?

Mr. H. Morrison

No, Sir.