§ 38. Mrs. Braddockasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he is aware of the unrest of the tenants of Gerard Gardens and Gerard Crescent, Liverpool 3, due to the refusal by his Department to allow the air raid shelters to be demolished; that these shelters are a danger to the children of the area, are insanitary, and give off a bad smell; and if he will cause an inquiry to be made with a view to the area being cleared.
§ Sir D. Maxwell FyfeIt is the policy of Her Majesty's Government to build up our Civil Defence resources as part of the general defence programme, and it would clearly be unwise to demolish any serviceable shelters which we still have, unless they are structurally dangerous or constitute a danger to health. I am making further inquiries into this case, and I will write to the hon. Member when I have completed them.
§ Mrs. BraddockIs the Minister aware that within the last fortnight a four-and-a-half-year-old child in this area died suddenly after playing on this site, and that, in spite of the post-mortem and inquest, parents in the district are not convinced that the dangerous area in which the child was living was not responsible for its death? When the right hon. and learned Gentleman is next in Liverpool, and if he happens to be there at the same time as myself, will he come with me and look at this area, because the place literally stinks?
§ Sir D. Maxwell FyfeAs I said, I am trying to get exact information on the particular problem which the hon. Lady has raised, and I shall welcome any means of doing it.
§ Mr. ShurmerIs the Home Secretary aware that this problem appertains also to the City of Birmingham where there are many such shelters which are a menace to the health of the public?
§ Sir D. Maxwell Fyfe: Ifthe hon. Gentleman can give me notice, I will look into the matter.