§ 31. Mr. Shepherdasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he is aware that Anderson shelters are rusting in gardens awaiting local authority action; and why the sale of these shelters to householders has been stopped.
§ Mr. EdeOut of nearly 2½ million Anderson shelters originally issued, the large majority have already been collected by local authorities, and every possible step is being taken to expedite the collection of the remainder. As was explained in a Press notice in April of last year, the facilities for retention of shelters by householders at nominal prices were discontinued, subject to exceptions in special cases, because there was evidence that shelters were being illegally collected by unauthorised persons, and in view of the national shortage it was important to secure so far as possible that all available steel should be directed into proper channels.
§ Mr. ShepherdIf that is the case, what does the Home Secretary propose to do in respect of local authorities who are not collecting shelters, which are liable to lie rusting in people's gardens?
§ Mr. EdeI am endeavouring to bring all the pressure I can to bear on them to get the shelters collected.
§ Mr. MitchisonWhy should Anderson shelters rust more than Morrison shelters?