The Air Raid Precaution Controversy The long-drawn controversy between the
Government and local authorities over the division of the cost of air raid precautions is cut short by the Government's decision to introduce a Bill into Parliament next week definitely allo- cating the proportions. On the basis of the Ministry of Health's block grant scheme local authorities will be divided into four groups. The richest group will receive 6o per cent. of the cost of approved schemes from the Exchequer, the other groups, in descending order of wealth, will respec- tively receive 65, 7o and 75 per cent. of such costs. In those cases in which the cost exceeds the product of a penny rate the Government will bear 75 per cent. of such excess in the case of the two richer groups, and 85 per cent. in the case of the two poorer groups. The Government will furthermore contribute the whole cost of all fire-fighting appliances in excess of normal requirements. Such an arrangement appears to be just and equitable and it is pretty certain that the local authorities will accept it. Certain discrimination will, however, arise against those towns which, for geographical or other special reasons are peculiarly vulnerable to air attack, for the cost of the measures which they will require to undertake will obviously exceed those of other more secluded areas. £32,000,00o is the Home Office estimate of. the cost of air raid precautions over the next three or four years, of which about Li,000,000 will fall on local authorities.
Previous page
