HC Deb 16 May 1944 vol 400 cc6-7
8. Rear-Admiral Beamish

asked the Secretary of State for War what steps are being taken, or are proposed, for the removal of barbed wire erected in private gardens in towns and villages early in the war and which is now unnecessary and a nuisance to the owners of the properties concerned, who have neither labour nor the capacity to remove the wire.

Sir J. Grigg

When barbed-wire defences are no longer operationally necessary, the War Department notifies those concerned, and, in accordance with its liability under the Defence Regulations, agrees the compensation due under the Compensation (Defence) Act. I realise that it is difficult for those concerned to find the labour to remove the wire, but I regret that, owing to the general shortage of labour, the War Department would not, as a rule, be in any better position to do so. But in some cases, where the wire constitutes a serious obstacle to the production of food, special arrangements can be made to have the wire removed.

Rear-Admiral Beamish

Will the right hon. Gentleman do something towards clearing up this difficulty of co-operating with the local authorities, so that they may be able to appeal to the War Office for the removal of this wire?

Sir J. Grigg

As I explained in ria7 answer, I am doing my best about this matter, but it is a very limited best. I am very sorry, but I certainly cannot undertake to make any arrangements whereby the War Office can provide labour on application.

Rear-Admiral Beamish

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that I was referring only to such wire as is quite obviously a nuisance?

Sir J. Grigg

Even that would require more labour than I could possibly provide at present.

Mr. Reakes

Do the municipal authorities concerned know, definitely, that they have power to remove this unsightly and dangerous barbed wire, if they are in a position to do so?

Sir J. Grigg

I think they have power to remove it, only when the land has been re-requisitioned. Perhaps the hon. Member will let me have an opportunity of looking into the question of whether some sort of notification to local authorities is desirable.

Mr. Thorne

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that a good many children grow flowers in the gardens, and that the barbed wire will not keep them out? Personally, I think it is very dangerous.

Sir J. Grigg

The wire was not originally intended to keep children out, but Germans.