§ 24. Lieut.-Colonel Rees-Williamsasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he is aware that until 19th October, 1940, the local authorities' expenditure on the construction of public shelters qualified for a 65 per cent. grant, whereas after that date, as a result of circular No. 262/1940, His Majesty's Government assumed full financial responsibility; and whether he will now put those authorities who took prompt action in the construction of these shelters in the same position as those who did not by reimbursing the former in respect of the 35 per cent. of the cost paid by them.
§ Mr. EdeIt was decided shortly after the issue of Circular No. 262/1940 that it could not be given retrospective effect, and this decision was exhaustively reviewed on several occasions during the ensuing 18 months. I regret that I can find no good ground, at this juncture, for departing from the policy determined in 1940.
§ Lieut.-Colonel Rees-WilliamsIs my right hon.Friend aware that many local authorities still owe the money which was borrowed in that period, and will he now rectify the very unjust position created by the previous Government, which rewarded procrastinating authorities and penalised those who were efficient?