§ Sir E. Cadoganasked the Minister of Health whether some scheme will be evolved for giving better facilities to those whose homes have been rendered uninhabitable by enemy action for removing 2005W their household effects, in view of the high removal charges and the difficulties of transport?
Mr. M. MacDonaldI would refer my lion. Friend to the answer which I gave to Questions by my hon. Friend the Member for North Salford (Mr. Morris) on 5th November. The committee to which I referred have been asked to report as soon as possible.
§ Sir A. Maitlandasked the Minister of Health whether he is satisfied that existing arrangements made to assist householders and others who sustain damage and loss as a result of enemy action are adequate, and what steps are being taken to supplement or improve them; and whether he from time to time give publicity to the assistance which is available to those who have suffered or may suffer?
Mr. MacDonaldThe principal services concerned with the assistance of those who have sustained loss and damage as a result of air raids are the war relief and the war compensation schemes administered by the Assistance Board, and the schemes for the reception and rehousing of the homeless, and for the repair of damaged houses, administered by the local authorities under the general direction of my Department. As regards the latter schemes, for which I am the Minister responsible, I have explained in the House on a number of recent occasions the steps that have been and are being taken to strengthen and improve them, and if my hon. Friend has any pardcular aspects in mind and will communicate with me I shall be glad to consider them. As my hon. Friend is aware, the Government will shortly introduce legislation to give effect to new proposals for compensation and insurance in respect of war damage to property. I entirely agree that the question of information is of the first importance. Centres are being established in all the districts in the London Region at which all the services concerned with the care of the homeless will be represented. Information officers are also available at all Rest Centres in the London County Council area. In a modified form these arrangements are also in force in a number of areas outside London. Shortly after intensive bombing started, my Department issued to local authorities for issue to homeless persons at rest centres a2006W pamphlet giving guidance about the various forms of assistance which were available. The further development of information services for the homeless is under urgent consideration by the Departments concerned.
§ Sir R. Gowerasked the Minister of Health whether there is any reason why the needed supplies of household furniture required by refugees or bombed-out families cannot be purchased from the second-hand shops instead of being commandeered from the possessions of those who have been compelled to leave their houses or who have stored their effects during the war?
Mr. MacDonaldI think my hon. Friend is under some misapprehension in this matter, since local authorities will normally obtain the household furniture required by homeless families either from the regional stores established by the Government (in the case of certain articles) or by purchase in the ordinary way. As an exceptional measure certain councils have been given power to requisition furniture from unoccupied premises or furniture depositories, and I have emphasised that these powers should only be exercised in exceptional circumstances.
§ Sir I. Alberyasked the Minister of Health whether he will take steps to ensure that temporary repairs to houses damaged in air raids shall be put in hand forthwith by local authorities unless they are notified by the owner within 24 hours that he proposes immediately to undertake these repairs on his own account?
§ Sir R. Gowerasked the Minister of Health whether, as many borough councils do not seem able with sufficient rapidity to undertake the task of wind and weatherproofing, especially in the case of better-class property, with the result that rain destroys the value of an assessor's estimate and compels reassessment, he will impress on all local authorities the need for attending to this matter on a better organised scale and with greater celerity?
Mr. MacDonaldLocal authorities are fully aware of the urgency of temporary repairs, and most of them are able to arrange for such repairs to be pot in hand immediately after the occurrence of damage, without the delay which would often be caused by consulting the owner. 2007W In certain areas there have been delays owing to the magnitude of the problem and the calls upon labour, and my right hon. Friend the Minister of Labour and I are doing our best to assist the local authorities concerned.
§ Sir I. Alberyasked the Minister of Health if he will instruct local authorities that temporary repairs to houses damaged in air raids should include, as soon as possible, the provision of a reasonable amount of transparent material for the admission of light and also temporary repairs to ceilings where these have been damaged?
Mr. MacDonaldYes, Sir. I have already drawn the attention of local authorities to the desirability of using a certain proportion of transparent or translucent material in making temporary repairs to windows, and I am shortly issuing a further circular dealing with the same matter in more detail, and with the steps which should be taken to deal with damaged ceilings.