CIVIL DEFENCE (DEMOLITION AND REPAIR SERVICES) (Hansard, 25 July 1950)

§ The Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Health (Mr. Blenkinsop)

I beg to move. That the Draft Civil Defence (Demolition and Repair Services) Regulations, 1950, a copy of which was laid before this House on 12th July, be approved. These draft Regulations, for which I ask the approval of the House, are part of our steady preparation for Civil Defence, to which reference was made during yesterday's Debate. The Minister of Health has been designated as responsible for the repair of war damaged houses, demolition and clearance of dangerous structures, and the salvage of furniture and other personal property. These Regulations lay the responsibility on local authorities, but do not require them to carry out any of the work until requested so to do by the Minister. An explanatory circular to all concerned will, however, be issued shortly.

I should tell the House that the repairs will be specifically limited to dwelling houses, retail shops selling commodities essential to the life of the community, places used as emergency meal centres and other essential catering establishments and rest centres and buildings providing accommodation in emergency. The responsibility of the local authority will not extend to mains and plant of water and sewerage undertakings or the nationalised gas and electricity undertakings, nor to railways, or roads for which the authority has no peace-time responsibility. Regulation 2 sets out clearly the arrangements which local authorities will have to make to secure the availability of land, the appointment of a responsible officer, the training of staff, and the like. As I have already said, an explanatory 385 circular will be sent round to local authorities very shortly.