§ 11. Mr. Albuasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he has yet made any arrangements for the strengthening of basements in new buildings for the purpose of providing air-raid shelters.
§ Sir D. Maxwell FyfeIn the immediate future there are other projects to which priority must be given in the allocation of Civil Defence expenditure, hut this matter is under consideration.
§ Mr. AlbuHas not this matter been under consideration now for five years? The more building that is done the fewer basements will be strengthened. Does not the right hon. and learned Gentleman think it is time for some serious consideration to be given to this problem?
§ Sir D. Maxwell FyfeI should be very happy if the hon. Gentleman would care to discuss with me any ideas that he has on this subject. I should like him to know that, among my many faults, resentment of public criticism is not one. I shall be very happy to co-operate with him on this subject.
§ Mr. Noel-BakerWill the right hon. Gentleman consult the Ministry of Transport about the desirability of using the basements of new buildings, both for shelter space and for parking space for automobiles in time of peace?
§ Sir D. Maxwell FyfeI have, I am, and I shall.