The report added that the committee felt strongly that the cost oí ihe precautionary measures, including the officers salary, should be regarded as national expenditure and be borne by the State, and representations had been made to the appropriate Government department. The Home Secretary had replied that ne undertaking could be given at present as to whether Government assistance would be forthcoming in financing a scheme of precautions.
Any suggestion that the Government should bear a share of the cost would have to be supported by a detailed estimate, The Secretary of State would welcome the appointment of an air raid precautions officer, who might with advantage prepare ar estimate of the cost. The committee, while regretting the absence of a definite pronouncement as to cost, felt that the matter called for prompt action, and that the appointment should be made.
Mr. H. Berry said that the Finance Committee considered that the appointment should be temporary ana subject to six months' notice on either side, All the local authorities in the country had made representations, a: to the cost of air raid precautions, and it was clear that the cost should be borne by national funds, He deplored the inaction of the Government. He thought the board should act, appoint the officer, draw up a scheme, and then ask the Government Department what its position was.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.