§ Sir J. Mellorasked the Minister of Health whether he has any information indicating the probable effect of the construction of air-raid shelters upon valuations of private property for rating purposes; whether the Central Valuation 35W Committee or any county valuation committee has made any recommendation with regard to the valuation of shelters: and whether in view of the deterrent effect upon the construction of shelters of any additional valuation of property in respect of shelters, he will take steps, by legislation or otherwise, to secure that approved shelters shall be ignored for purposes of valuation?
§ Sir K. WoodThe answer to the first part of the question is in the negative. The Central Valuation Committee have not made any recommendation in the matter, nor am I aware that any county Valuation Committee has done so. With regard to the last part of the question I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply given by the Chancellor of the Exchequer on 7th December last to my hon. and gallant Friend the Member for Hertford (Sir M. Salter).
§ Mr. Naylorasked the Home Secretary whether any provision is to be made for compensating or pensioning air-raid assistants or their dependants in the event of such assistants being injured or killed in the course of their duties during war-time?
§ Mr. LloydI would refer the hon. Member to the reply which my right hon. Friend gave on 29th July last to my hon. Friend the Member for Duddeston (Mr. Simmonds).