HC Deb 07 November 1940 vol 365 cc1460-1W
Mr. Mander

asked the Minister of Health whether it is the intention of the Government that basements of houses at present unrated should, as a result of occupation as air-raid shelters, become liable to the payment of rates?

Mr. M. MacDonald

I would draw the hon. Member's attention to Section 1 (2) of the Rating and Valuation (Air-Raid Works) Act, 1938, which provides that no person shall be liable to pay rates in respect of a hereditament which is intended to be occupied and used solely for the purpose of air-raid protection and which is not occupied or used for any other purpose. The question whether the Section is applicable in any particular case would be a matter for the rating authority, subject to an appeal to the courts.

Mr. Beechman

asked the Home Secretary whether he is aware that brick and concrete communal shelters in London, which have been built without damp courses, are now being fitted with bunks, with the result that lower berths will be extremely damp; and whether he will give an assurance that new shelters, designed for sleeping purposes, will have damp courses and that such steps will he taken as may be possible to remedy the defect in existing shelters?

Mr. H. Morrison

It is doubtful how far the provision of a damp course will effectively check damp in new structures, but it is, in fact, intended to incorporate such a feature in the new design which is, for other reasons, about to be introduced in supersession of existing designs.

Mr. Beechman

asked the Home Secretary what steps are being taken to heat communal shelters now being built with sleeping accommodation in London, in view of the officially acknowledged danger of amateur heating arrangements?

Mr. Morrison

I presume that my hon. Friend is referring to the street surface shelters. I am advised that for a number of reasons it would be neither desirable nor practicable at present to embark upon the installation of artificial heating in these shelters.

Mr. J. Griffiths

asked the Home Secretary whether it is proposed to resume the manufacture of Anderson shelters; and whether supplies of these shelters will be made available to the unspecified areas?

Morrison

Yes, Sir; but manufacture will be on a scale which will make it necessary for some considerable time to confine supplies to those areas where the need is considered greatest.