It was a sombre debate. The Home Secretary began by
reminding the House that 300 tons of bombs were dropped in this country during the four years of the War and that today, not only could as great a tonnage be dropped in 24 hours, but that such a scale of attack could be maintained for many days. Gloom gave way to indignation when Mr. Morrison declared that no approach was made to local authorities regarding the finance of air-raid precautions between July, 1935, and February, 1937. Many members were unwittingly misled by Mr. Morrison's subsequent reply to an interruption by Mr. Churchill and assumed that the Government sent out no communication at all between these dates. As Mr. Geoffrey Lloyd later pointed out in an excellent debating speech, this was not the case. The Home Office sent out quite a number of circulars during the two years in question. Nevertheless, the reply did not meet the criticism, for local authorities cannot move far in these matters without assistance from the national exchequer. Ministerial speeches did not dispel the impression that, in this matter, there has been avoidable and inexcusable delay. Mr. Morrison had no complaints to make of the present Home Secretary, but laid the blame at the door of Sir John Simon. It was a grave charge, and it is surprising that Sir John did not take the opportunity offered by Tuesday's debate of defending his record at the Home Office.
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