HC Deb 04 April 1957 vol 568 cc569-70
38. Mr. Swingler

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will now approve the removal of the air raid shelter at the rear of Wharf Terrace, Madeley Heath, in the rural district of Newcastle-under-Lyme, in view of the fact that it constitutes a danger to children at play and obscures the light from the houses.

The Secretary of State for the Home Department and Lord Privy Seal (Mr. R. A. Butler)

I am informed that this shelter stands on the edge of a large open space and is 12 feet beyond the boundary wall of the house and 35 feet from the living room windows. I therefore regret that I can find no sufficient grounds for the removal of the shelter for the reasons suggested.

Mr. Swingler

Are not such unsightly objects likely to become extremely insanitary and neglected, and present a temptation to children playing behind the houses, and is it not likely that accidents may occur? Should not all these important factors be taken into account, and what is the purpose of retaining this shelter?

Mr. Butler

So far as we can, and so long as shelters do not offend for the reasons given by the hon. Member, we try to keep them. I have consulted the Newcastle-under-Lyme Rural District Council. which does not consider the shelter dangerous to children. Under the circumstances, I think it better to keep the shelter where it is.