§ 67. Mr. Dolandasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will give instructions to the London local authorities to de-requisition the basements of shops formerly used as basement air raid shelters.
§ The Secretary of State for the Home Department (Sir Donald Somervell)It is intended that these basements should be de-requisitioned as speedily as possible and guidance on the subject will shortly be given to local authorities. I ought to add that there are difficulties owing to the shortage of labour, in cases where there are valuable fittings and equipment which ought to be removed.
Captain DuncanWill my right hon. and learned Friend give instructions to the local authorities to have it done at the earliest possible moment, so as to make the accommodation available for housing?
§ Sir D. SomervellI fully appreciate the importance of this, and I am sure that my hon. and gallant Friend will also appreciate the difficulties owing to the shortage of labour and the very urgent demand for materials.
§ Mr. Evelyn WalkdenSurely, it is not the intention of the right hon. Gentleman's Department to arrange for homeless Londoners to live in basements?
§ 68. Mr. Dolandasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will give instructions to the London local authorities to remove the concrete and brick structures adjoining shops and leading to air-raid shelters in the basement.
§ Sir D. SomervellLondon local authorities were informed on the 5th May that these and other types of traffic obstruction might be removed, so far as labour could be spared for the purpose without impinging upon work of greater urgency and importance. I am sending my hon. Friend a copy of the relevant circular.