§ Mr. Dunnasked the Lord Privy Seal whether he has now given consideration to the representations made to him by the joint hospital boards of the country in general, and the Wandle Valley Joint Hospital Board in particular, arising out of air-raid precautionary measures for and on behalf of such hospitals; and whether he is now in a position to make a statement?
§ Sir J. AndersonYes, Sir. I have considered a number of representations on this subject, including those to which the hon. Member refers, and I have decided that local authorities in the areas most exposed to attack shall be asked to provide protection, of the approved blast and splinter proof standard, for the inmates and staff of certain types of residential institutions such as public assistance institutions, mental hospitals, infectious diseases hospitals and other hospitals not included in the emergency hospitals scheme. It is not possible within the compass of this answer to set out in full all the types of institutions to which this decision will apply, but I propose to issue to the local authorities concerned as soon as possible a circular letter giving guidance on this subject. The approved expenditure incurred will be borne by the Exchequer and the local authorities in the proportions laid down by the Air-Raid Precautions Act.