§ 31. Dr. Strossasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he will state his reasons for not authorising the removal of the air-raid shelters in Etruria Park, Hanley; and how these differ from those in Burslem, to whose removal he has assented.
§ Miss Hornsby-SmithIt has been the policy of successive Governments to 530 retain shelters unless there are compelling grounds for their removal. The demolition of the shelters in Chapel Lane, Burslem, was necessary to allow building development. This is not the case with the shelters in Etruria Park.
§ Dr. StrossIs the hon. Lady aware that the reasons for asking for the abolition of these shelters in Etruria Park were, first, that they are very insanitary and decrepit, and, secondly, that the space is urgently required as a recreation ground for children to play upon? I beg her to reconsider the whole matter, because the local authority finds that it badly needs this ground for the children.
§ Miss Hornsby-SmithPermission is normally given if they are structurally unsound, which these shelters are not considered to be, but, if the hon. Member feels that there are other points which should be taken into consideration, my right hon. Friend would be prepared to consider them.