HC Deb 20 April 1961 vol 638 cc1365-6
11. Mr. Swingler

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department in how many cases local authorities have sought his permission to demolish air-raid shelters in each of the last five years; and in how many cases he has granted permission.

Mr. Renton

I regret that the information asked for in the first part of the Question is not readily available. Permission has been given to demolish about 12,000 shelters in the last five years.

Mr. Swingler

Will not the hon. and learned Gentleman do something to try to speed up this process of demolishing shelters? Will he draw the attention of local authorities to the fact that many of these shelters throughout the country are in a state of decay and are both unsightly and frequently insanitary? Will he ask the local authorities to carry out an inspection of them so that the Home Secretary may approve of the widespread demolition of those which are objectionable?

Mr. Renton

Nearly all local authorities are conscious of the need to keep this question under consideration all the time and we get a number of applications. As, however, my right hon. Friend the Home Secretary said in December, it remains the policy of the Government to preserve sound air-raid shelters as far as possible.

Mr. Gower

Is it not a fact, however, that some of these air-raid shelters gave only limited protection under the conditions of the last war and that under the conditions of today they act rather to harbour vermin and to attract young children under most undesirable conditions? Is my hon. and learned Friend aware that some local authorities advise me that they cannot take down these shelters because of the instructions of the Home Office? Will he look at the matter again?

Mr. Renton

I am not aware of any obstruction by the Home Office. As I said in my main Answer, about 12,000 shelters have been abolished in the last five years. We feel that the shelters from the last war would provide good protection against nuclear weapons outside the area of complete destruction, particularly if they were improved in various ways. Where they are clearly insanitary or dangerous, the local authority makes an application to get rid of them and we accede to that application.