London, Nov. 4.
Labour motion that the House "express its grave concern over admitted unpreparedness to protect the civilian popu= lation when the country was brought to the brink of war" wa defeated in the House of Commons yesterday by 335 votes to 130.
The debate on civil defence, which followed the motion, wi laponed by Mr. Herbert Morrison, Labour Party leader and member for South Hackney.
Mr. Morrison declared it was "preposterous" to try to put the blame for Air-Raid Precautions deficiencies on the local auth louties, because they had no statutory responsibility until this year. Delay, he said, and the "muddled circulars" from Government departments were really responsible for the position in Septen The Labour leader contended that the country was gravely prepared and that the Government under-estimated the vii consideration of Air-Raid. Precautions in relation to the cond of diplomacy and defence.
Mr. Morrison disclaimed any intention to make Party capital out of the position but he said that, as good citizens concerned with the safety and security of the people, the Labour Party were genuinely and seriously worried about the state of the Air-
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