§ Mr. Higgsasked the Home Secretary whether he is aware that the Birmingham 1467W civic authorities refuse to give Members of Parliament, or their representatives, brief particulars as to premises damaged by aerial bombardment in their various constituencies or supply them with lists of casualties although such casualty lists are exhibited in public places; and will he give instructions that this information is to be supplied?
§ Mr. H. MorrisonThe question of what arrangements can be made for giving to hon. Members information of the kind my hon. Friend has in mind has been engaging attention for some time; as will be appreciated, information about air raid casualties and damage is, of necessity, highly confidential. I am glad to be able to say however that arrangements have now been made for A.R.P. Controllers to be instructed that when so requested they should give Members of Parliament, or persons authorised on their behalf and duly accredited, general information, exclusively for the Member's personal use, as to casualties and damage in the Member's constituency. I may add that I have considered carefully whether it would be possible for information to be given as a routine matter, but there are difficulties in the way and I suggest that this point is met if the request is made either by the Member or his authorised representative.
§ Sir E. Cadoganasked the Home Secretary whether he will consider the advisability of publishing a civilian roll of honour, especially in view of the fact that the numbers of those who have died by enemy action are habitually published?
§ Mr. H. MorrisonThis suggestion was considered by my predecessor but rejected as impracticable. I have examined it again but I cannot agree that publication of details of all civilian deaths due to enemy action would be advisable, even if it were practicable.