HC Deb 02 May 1938 vol 335 cc528-9W
Colonel Baldwin-Webb

asked the Home Secretary whether he can give the numbers of the staff of the air-raid precautions section of his Department, and how responsibility for organising the national effort is divided up among them?

Mr. Lloyd:

The need for speeding-up the work of the Air-Raid Precautions Department and its rapidly increasing volume has involved a further reconstruction of the Department, which is now nearly complete. I think that it would be more satisfactory if my hon. and gallant Friend would repeat his question a little later.

Colonel Baldwin-Webb

asked the Home Secretary whether his Department adopts the policy of calling for periodical statements as to the progress of air-raid precautions work in the different local government areas which are the most certain to be affected or whether it awaits reports submitted to it without prior request; and whether he intervenes in all cases where progress is slow or nonexistent?

Mr. Lloyd:

Yes, Sir. Reports from the Inspectorate form a normal part of the routine of the Department, but arrangements have been made for reports on a more systematic basis, at regular intervals, on the progress of each part of the scheme in the areas of all scheme-making authorities. If a report were received that progress was unsatisfactory, the matter would be followed up.

Colonel Baldwin-Webb

asked the Home Secretary how much of the £1,909,000 in his estimates for grants to local authorities, consequent on the passing of the Air-Raid Precautions Act, has actually been distributed; and whether such distribution has any direct relation to the expectancy of need in exposed districts?

Mr. Lloyd:

Grants to local authorities are based on the amount of approved expenditure incurred by them. Under the Act local authorities are required to submit particulars of such expenditure and when these particulars are received grant will be payable. As regards the last part of the question I would refer my hon. and gallant Friend to the answer which I gave to a question which he put last Thursday.