§ Mr. Kirbyasked the Minister of Transport whether a scheme for the protection of dock workers and seamen who will have to remain at work during air raids in time of war is under consideration for the port of Liverpool, on extensive lines such as the scheme being discussed by the Government and the Port of London Authority; and can he give the House any detailed information as to the scope and progress in relation thereto?
§ Mr. BurginThe Mersey Docks and Harbour Board have in hand comprehensive plans for air-raid protection in the port of Liverpool and the training of personnel is progressing satisfactorily. I have not yet received a detailed scheme. The general question of the financial arrangements for the provision of protection for persons using the docks but not employed by the various dock authorities is under discussion with the Dock and Harbour Authorities Association.
§ Mr. Ellis Smithasked the Lord Privy Seal whether he is now in a position to state, for the guidance of local authorities in the provision of adequate air raid protection, the Government's policy
624Wyears 1908, 1923, 1928, 1933, 1934, 1935, and 1936, showing the number of offenders who were bound over and the number placed under recognisances, as specified in Section 2 of the Probation Act, 1907; and the number in the second category classified as young persons?
§ Mr. LloydThe following is the information:
on the provision of deep underground shelters where they are required; what steps have been taken or are contemplated to see that the required material is supplied and the price kept to a minimum; is it intended to invite local authorities to submit schemes; and will he consult with the Minister of Labour and the trade unions in order that employment can be given, where possible, to unemployed men at trade union rates and conditions?
§ Sir J. AndersonAs regards the general policy of the Government, I am not yet in a position to add anything to the statement which I made on 1st March in the course of debate. The hon. Member may be assured that I shall do all that is possible to ensure that costs are kept as low as possible consistent with efficiency; and that, in all suitable cases, local authorities will be urged—as they have been, for instance, in connection with the re construction of the trenches and the erection of the householders' shelter?—to use the opportunity to give the maximum relief to unemployment by obtaining necessary labour through the Employment Exchanges.
625W
§ Major Stourtonasked the Lord Privy Seal whether, in view of the public un easiness in the city of Salford and other congested urban areas caused by the obvious unsuitability of the standard steel air-raid shelters provided in those districts for reason of limited backyard space, the absence of room for the necessary earth protection, and the flooding of shelters through water from yard surface-drainage, he will reconsider this part of the Government policy with a view to adopting an alternative policy?
§ Sir J. AndersonI am aware that in Salford and in some other urban areas only a relatively small proportion of the population could be suitably protected by means of the householder's steel shelter. If, however, ray hon. and gallant Friend will refer to the statement which I made on the 21st December last, he will see that these steel shelters represent only a part of the Government's shelter policy; and that it has always been contemplated that protection should be afforded by other means in dwellings for which this particular type of shelter was not well adapted. The position in Salford will be specially surveyed in the near future.
§ Mr. J. Morganasked the Lord Privy Seal whether, in view of the increasing financial obligations falling upon local authorities arising out of work and measures undertaken at the instigation or with the approval of his Department, he is prepared to consult further with such local authorities in order to discuss ways and means for meeting such exceptional expenditure by additional or special grants-in-aid from national funds?
§ Sir J. AndersonThis matter has already been raised with me by some of the associations of local authorities. I would remind my hon. Friend that the existing legislation provides for very generous grants from the Exchequer, amounting in some cases to 85 per cent, of all approved expenditure in excess of that amount which would involve a net burden on the locality equivalent to a penny rate. Furthermore, the greater part of the equipment and materials required is supplied free by the Government. The Act of 1937 provides for a review of the position within three years, but I would emphasise that if Civil Defence is to be really effective it is626W essential that all sections of the community, including local authorities as well as the central Government, should play their part and bear their share of the burden.
§ Mr. J. Hendersonasked the Lord Privy Seal whether he will state the number of air-raid shelters that have been provided to the City of Manchester by the Government; the number provided free of cost, and the price per shelter; the total number of shelters it is intended to provide to the city free of cost; and the cost to those who are to be charged with price of same?
§ Sir J. AndersonThe total number of houses in Manchester to be included in the scheme of free distribution of air-raid shelters is estimated by the local authority to be 76,138. This estimate is being checked by means of a detailed survey, and arrangements have already been made for the supply of free shelters to 5,000 houses, of which particulars have so far been furnished to the Home Office. Shelters will not be available for purchase until the free distribution has been substantially completed, and a public announcement will then be made, including particulars of the cost.
§ Mr. Pilkingtonasked the Lord Privy Seal how many gas-masks have now been supplied to the Huyton Urban District Council; and how many have been indented for?
§ Sir J. AndersonA request was received for 39,000 respirators for this urban district, and this number has been supplied. These are the ordinary respirators: 3,000 appliances for babies and young children have also been asked for, and will be supplied when available.
§ Mr. Dobbieasked the Lord Privy Seal whether he will inform the House as to the number of towns in the provinces which have been provided with air-raid shelters, and the proportion of the population who are served by this safety device; the number delivered free; and the cost per head of those paid for?
§ Sir J. AndersonA beginning has been made with the distribution of steel air raid shelters to 22 provincial towns. Until the local authorities have completed the survey which they have been asked to make, it is not possible to say what pro portion of the population will be served 627W by this type of shelter. All the shelters so far delivered have been issued free of charge to the householder, and no shelters will be available for sale until the free issue has been substantially completed.
§ Mr. Dobbieasked the Lord Privy Seal whether he has yet considered a scheme for air-raid shelters submitted to him from the York authority; and whether he is in a position to make a statement thereon as to the acceptance by the Government of the scheme presented to him by that authority?
§ Sir J. AndersonProposals by the city authorities for the construction of shelters are now under consideration by my Department. They raise important issues, and I am not yet in a position to announce my decision in regard to them.
§ Mr. Gallacherasked the Lord Privy Seal whether he is aware that in the city of Leeds applicants to join the air-raid precautions organisation are being visited by police to find out their political affiliations and those that are found to be associated with the Communist party are being refused; and whether, as by taking this action the chief constable is exceeding his powers as chief air-raid precautions warden, he will take steps to avoid repetition of this political inquisition?
§ Sir J. AndersonI have made inquiries and I am assured by the chief constable that the suggestions made in the first part of the question are without foundation: the second part of the question does not, therefore, arise.