§ 23. Mr. Dribergasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he can make an additional allocation of Morrison table shelters to those households in rural areas, affected by flying bombs, in which there are young children.
§ Mr. H. MorrisonIndoor table shelters are available to all householders who have not already been provided with other serviceable shelter in the rural areas extensively affected by flying bombs. Supplies of the shelters do not permit of a wider distribution at present, but the position is kept under continuous review.
§ Mr. DribergWill the right hon. Gentleman bear in mind that quite a large proportion of these bombs are shot down before they reach London, or fall in rural areas, where there are no public shelters at all, and where at present Morrison table shelters are not allowed to be distributed?
§ Mr. MorrisonYes, I am aware of that point and if I can do anything I will, but it is a question of supplies and priorities.
§ Commander Sir Archibald SouthbyWill it be possible to augment the stocks of shelters in the affected areas, by bringing in shelters from other areas where 1873 there is not so much imminent danger from bombs?
§ Mr. MorrisonThat was one of the first actions that we took.
§ Mr. TinkerWill my right hon. Friend make an appeal to holders of shelters outside the bombing range to give them up?
§ Mr. MorrisonWe have done that and there is a considerable response in the North and so on. I am grateful for the public spirit of the people in the Midlands and in the North, and also in Northern Ireland, in that respect.