Mr. Dugdaleasked the Minister of Health whether he will give permission to local authorities to fit stoves into all shelters accommodating 12 or more persons?
§ Mr. E. BrownAuthority has been given to regional commissioners to approve the installation by local authorities of heating apparatus in air raid shelters accommodating 50 or more persons. In addition, where necessary for drying-out purposes, permission has been given for the heating of smaller shelters. If my hon. Friend has in mind proposals which are not covered by this permission I should be glad to consider them on receiving particulars. In this matter I am guided by the advice of the committee under the chairmanship of Lord Horder which; in its first report (Cmd. 6954 of 1940), pointed out that there are objections to beating the majority of shelters during their occupancy which outweigh the advantages, and drew attention to the dangers from fumes involved in the use of coal and coke.