HC Deb 06 May 1954 vol 527 cc554-5
7 Mr. Elwyn Jones

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what local authorities he consulted before he issued Civil Defence Circular No. 7/1954 bringing to an end the scheme under which local authorities were authorised to contribute towards the removal expenses incurred by householders in moving their own furniture from bomb-damaged premises to temporary accommodation and back again to the original area.

Sir D. Maxwell Fyfe

It was not necessary to consult the local authorities about this decision, but factual information was obtained from the following councils: Liverpool, Bootle, Birmingham, West Bromwich, Battersea, Camberwell, Greenwich, Paddington and West Ham.

Mr. Elwyn Jones

Is the Home Secretary aware that this circular may cause considerable hardship to hundreds of blitzed householders in West Ham who are not yet in permanent accommodation? Can he not provide for some machinery to assist them? They are perhaps exceptional cases, but there are hundreds, and I appeal to the right hon. and learned Gentleman to bring his generosity to bear on this situation.

Sir D. Maxwell Fyfe

As the hon. and learned Gentleman will appreciate, the last bomb in West Ham fell during the night of 17th to 18th March, 1945, so his constituents have had nine years in which to get their position right under the scheme. If, however, he would like to give me further information about what is suggested in his supplementary question, I shall be glad to consider whether there is anything I can do.

Mr. Lewis

While appreciating particularly the latter part of that reply, may I ask the Home Secretary whether he is aware that because of its peculiar position, both financially and from the effects of the blitz, West Ham is the only local authority in the country which is receiving a special Exchequer grant from the Treasury, which shows that it should receive special treatment? Will the right hon. and learned Gentleman see whether he can give West Ham special treatment in this matter?

Sir D. Maxwell Fyfe

I will certainly take into account what the hon. Gentleman has said.