A.R.P. FOR LONDON
In the Editor of THE SPECTATOR] SIR,—You say " Professor Haldane, the chief advocate of tunnel protection, estimated in his book A.R.P. that it would take two years to construct tunnels for London." Actually Professor Haldane in his book (p. 213) estimated that " allowing for all kinds of unexpected difficulties the job should be com- pleted in a year." The reason for this rapidity, which seems to bring his scheme within the scope of even a short-term policy, is that he proposes to begin the tunnels at no fewer than 5,500 points, which would " secure that few people had more than 200 yards to go to the nearest entrance " as well as rapidity of construction.
The opinion of the majority of those who have studied conditions in Spain is that the problem- has been largely solved there by going underground. Sir John Anderson warns us that bigger bombs Will be used for London than for Barcelona. In that case we must go down deeper, say the 6o feet suggested by Professor Haldane.
There seems to be some prejudice against going underground, even Sir John Anderson referring to troglodytes. To mining engineers and miners such references appear wide of the mark and one has only to remember the vast numbers who use the Tubes daily to realise how readily the people would adapt themselves to going underground for safety.—Yours faithfully,
Grande Hotel de Italia, Monte Estoril. A. O. BROWN.
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