HL Deb 08 July 1947 vol 150 cc126-7
VISCOUNT LONG

My Lords, I beg leave to ask the question of His Majesty's Government which stands in my name on the Order Paper.

[The question was as follows:

To ask His Majesty's Government what damage was done to cottages and houses at Market Lavington during the bombing practice and whether the occupants have received compensation and been given priority for repairs?]

LORD HENDERSON

My Lords, I am glad to say that in the main only very slight damage was caused to houses in the Market Lavington district by the bombing exercises of May 9. About forty claims have been received, most of them for repairs to ceilings and broken windows, and eighteen have so far been settled: I hope that most of the others will be settled shortly. I understand that the local authority are giving priority to the release of materials for repairs. I should like to express my regret that damage and alarm should have been caused by this bombing practice.

VISCOUNT LONG

My Lords, I thank the noble Lord for his reply. He has said that only slight damage has been done; yet forty claims have been so far received. May I ask the noble Lord, having regard to the fact of the warning given to the Government last year that life was endangered, whether the whole question of this practice will be reconsidered as to whether it is really necessary and, if it is necessary, that we may be told so? And may I also ask that compensation for damage should be immediately paid and priority given in future for this work to be carried out at once?

LORD HENDERSON

As regards the noble Viscount's question about the necessity for this practice being carried out, I will certainly have the matter looked into. I think the reply I have already given, to the effect that compensation is paid where damage is done and materials are issued on priority, meets his views.

SUNDAY ENTERTAINMENTS ACT, 1932.

CITY OF MANCHESTER ORDER;

CITY OF RIPON ORDER;

BOROUGH OF HUNTINGDON ORDER;

BOROUGH OF WANSTEAD AND WOODFORD ORDER;

URBAN DISTRICT OF OAKENGATES ORDER;

URBAN DISTRICT OF WOKING ORDER.

LORD WALKDEN

My Lords, I beg to move that these Orders be approved.

Moved, That the Orders made under the Act by the Secretary of State for the Home Department, for extending Section one of the Act to the said areas, be approved.—(Lord Walkden.)

On Question, Motion agreed to.