WAR PREPARATION

Wairarapa Times-Age, 6 April 1939, Page 7

WAR PREPARATION

URGENCY OF SITUATION EXPLAINED BRITAIN UNABLE TO WAIT UNTIL AFTER EASTER. PROVISIONS OF CIVIL DEFENCE BILL. By Telegraph—Press Association— Copyright LONDON, April 5. Answering criticisms in the House of Commons yesterday that the Civil Defence Bill was being rushed through, Mr H. J. Scrymgeour-Wedderburn, Un-der-Secretary for Scotland, said that recent events had emphasised the urgency of Britain’s war preparation. The Government could not afford to wait until a fortnight after Easter as was originally intended. The Minister of Transport, Mr Leslie Burgin, said that the railway companies were already constructing largescale protective works and were spending millions on them. Another object was the duplicating of vital points. Also, parcel vans were being converted into ambulance trains. The railways would probably be controlled by the Government in the event of, an outbreak of war. Moving the second reading of the Bill, Sir John Anderson, Lord Privy Seal, said it would impose heavy responsibilities and financial burdens which could be regarded as intolerable in normal times, but there was no disposition in any quarter to question its necessity. The Bill empowered local authorities to designate buildings as public shelters or for other air raid precautions purposes. There was provision ( for compensation and requisitioning in an emergency of premises and vehicles. It was proposed to compel employers in vulnerable areas to provide protection for their employees. Grants for this purpose would be made if the protection arrangements were completed before September. Drastic regulations would ensure obscuration of light. The Bill could impose a liability of more than £25,000,000, in addition to a recurring charge of £1,200,000 for 40 years. Some sections would become operative as a precautionary measure immediately after the second reading.