§ Sir R. Taskerasked the Lord Privy Seal who was responsible for digging the trenches in Lincoln's Inn Fields; and what action is contemplated to deal with the trenches?
§ Sir J. AndersonThese trenches were dug by the Borough of Holborn during the crisis last September, with the consent of the London County Council, to whom this open space belongs. My final approval of the borough's plans for making the trenches permanent was given on 15th April.
§ Mr. Gallacherasked the Lord Privy Seal what is the number of air-raid protection schemes submitted by Scottish local authorities to the last convenient date; the number of these schemes that have been accepted in full by the national authorities and the number rejected; and in how many cases has the rejection been due to financial reasons?
§ Sir J. AndersonWith a view to expediting progress with schemes, authorities were recommended in August last to proceed by way of submitting, and securing informal approval to, parts of schemes rather than complete schemes. This system has been generally adopted by the Scottish authorities and has worked satisfactorily. In a certain number of cases it has been found necessary to reject on financial or other grounds individual items arising on parts of schemes submitted, but such rejection has not entailed rejection of a scheme or part of a scheme as a whole.
§ Mr. Kirbyasked the Lord Privy Seal how many auxiliary firemen and special constables have been enrolled for air-raid precautions services in the city of Liverpool; how such numbers compare with estimated requirements during an emergency; and to what extent have uniforms and fire-fighting equipment been supplied to these air-raid precautions services?
§ Sir J. AndersonI am informed that 2,738 auxiliary firemen and 1,604 special514W constables have been enrolled out of estimated requirements in time of emergency of 10,000 and 2,100 respectively. 500 sets of uniform have been issued to auxiliary firemen and further deliveries are now awaited from the contractors; the Watch Committee of the city decided on Tuesday last to order 1,000 uniforms immediately for special constables. A total of 89 pumps, including six heavy, 18 large and 65 light pumps, have so far been delivered to Liverpool.
§ Mr. Kirbyasked the Lord Privy Seal whether he has considered the letter, dated the 13th April, from the town clerk of Liverpool asking him to state his Department's policy in regard to the provision of complete shelter protection for the civilian population remaining in the city during an emergency, particularly as to shelters for the occupants of tenements and houses unsuited for the use of steel shelters now being distributed; what answer he has given; and will he also state his Department's attitude towards the Liverpool proposals to provide additional shelter in some areas by the covering in of narrow streets?
§ Sir J. AndersonI have had the letter under consideration. I shall be issuing a circular next week to local authorities in vulnerable areas regarding a comprehensive programme of shelter accommodation. The assistance of the professional institutions has been obtained for conducting with the utmost speed a detailed survey in the course of which consideration will be given to the practicability of such expedients as that referred to in the last part of the question.
Mr. David Adamsasked the Lord Privy Seal whether he can now say what alternative accommodation he proposes for deep bomb-proof shelters for those industrial populations who, during war emergency, must remain at or near their employment, and householders whose homes do not permit of the use of steel shelters or of basement protection?
§ Sir J. AndersonAn alternative form of shelter for use where the special steel shelter cannot be used and there is no basement capable of being strengthened has been designed, and it is hoped that details will be in the hands of local authorities this month.
§ Mr. Shinwellasked the Lord Privy Seal whether he can state the progress made 515W with the construction of air-raid shelters in the county of Durham?
§ Sir J. AndersonAs the hon. Member will appreciate, the provision of public shelter is primarily the responsibility of the local authority. Proposals submitted by the County Boroughs of Sunderland and South Shields and the Borough of Hartlepool are under consideration. The County Borough of Gateshead also made certain proposals, but I was not able to agree to the scale of shelter accommodation proposed. I have not received any other proposals for communal shelter, other than trench construction, from the county of Durham.
§ Mr. Flemingasked the Lord Privy Seal whether any elephant shelters are being supplied, under the Government air-raid precautions schemes, for overground blast-proof protection; and whether any tests have been made with the said shelters?
§ Sir J. AndersonThe answer to the first part of this question is in the negative. The second part does not therefore arise.
Mr. DavidAdams asked the Lord Privy Seal whether, and with what result, a survey has been made of the disused mines, quarries, coaldrifts, and of natural land formations likely to be of use as shelters in war emergency?
§ Sir J. AndersonThe provision of communal shelter against air attack is primarily a matter for the local authorities, who should properly have regard to the possibilities afforded by natural features and disused industrial workings. In a number of instances shelter schemes taking advantage of natural features have been submitted to me and have been approved or agreed to in principle.