§ 42. Mr. Shortasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department why he has refused permission to the corporation of Newcastle-upon-Tyne to demolish an air-raid shelter between Clara Street and Hugh Street after many minor accidents to children have occurred on it.
§ The Joint Under-Secretary of State for the Home Department (Miss Patricia Hornsby-Smith)I naturally regret that any accidents should have happened. But children like climbing, and on present information my right hon. Friend is not satisfied that this shelter presents such special risks as to necessitate its demolition. My right hon. Friend is consulting the local authority regarding the provision of a guard rail at the bottom of the sloping roof.
§ Mr. ShortIs the Minister aware that this shelter is dilapidated, falling to pieces, and will be worthless for the purpose for which it is intended? Is she aware that a large number of minor accidents and one major accident have occurred on it? In my opinion, if her right hon. Friend maintains his rather silly attitude, he is rendering the Crown liable for damages in respect of any accident upon it. Unless it is demolished in the near future, I shall advise my constituents to sue the Crown for damages for injury to their children upon it.
§ Miss Hornsby-SmithIt is open to the local authority to make representations to my right hon. Friend if it considers that a shelter is unsound or insanitary. This shelter is structurally sound and was sealed some years ago. In the circumstances, my right hon. Friend does not feel that there are grounds for its demolition.