HC Deb 05 February 1937 vol 319 cc1937-8W
Mr. C. Wilson

asked the Home Secretary what was the number of air raids which took place over London; the number of persons killed and injured, respectively; the estimated value of the property damaged, and/ or destroyed; and what proportion of the persons killed were resident in areas inhabited by the poorer sections of the people and what proportion in other areas?

Mr. Lloyd

The raids on the County of London numbered 25; 594 persons were killed and 1,708 were injured. The material damage was estimated at £2,000,000. The information asked for in the last part of the question is not available.

Mr. C. Wilson

asked the Home Secretary whether he can state, in regard to the air raids which took place during the war, the number of cases in which damage was inflicted upon military objectives and those in which it was inflicted upon property Tenanted by working-class people; and in how many of the cases serious fires were caused?

Mr. Lloyd

Military objectives were damaged on six occasions. The information asked for in the second part of the question is not available. It is known that in London 793 buildings were destroyed of seriously damaged, but the records do not show how many of these buildings were occupied by working-class people. Throughout the whole country 57 cases are recorded of considerable damage by lire resulting from air attack.

Mr. C. Wilson

asked the Home Secretary whether, for the instruction of those born during and since the war, he will arrange for the publication of a book of illustrations of damaged and/or destroyed property, and particulars as to the loss of life when that took place?

Mr. Lloyd

My right hon. Friend considers that information about the damage likely to be caused by air attack under present conditions and about the measures necessary to minimise loss of life and material damage can be more usefully given in other ways.