§ Mr. Grovesasked the Lord Privy Seal whether he will state the approximate number of basements of houses in West Ham due to be inspected for strengthening as a precaution against air raids; whether he has ascertained what technical staff is available to carry through these inspections; when the work is likely to begin; and what proportion of the cost, if any, is to be borne by the local authority?
§ Sir J. AndersonI understand that there are, approximately, between 15,000 and 18,000 basements in West Ham which should be surveyed, though it is probable that on a preliminary survey a proportion of these would be regarded as unsuitable for use as air-raid shelters. From the information in my possession it appears that the staff employed by the authority on this work is inadequate. The cost of the survey, including the salaries of additional staff or the fees to outside consultants who could assist in carrying out the survey, would rank for Government grant on the terms of the Air-Raid Precautions Act, 1937. I am instructing one of my technical officers to discuss with the local authority measures for accelerating this work, which is now proceeding very slowly.