asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Supply, whether, in connection with the removal for scrap purposes of railings deemed unnecessary by local authorities, the owner or tenant has any guarantee against accidents to the public or damage to property resulting therefrom?

Local authorities have been directed not to treat as unnecessary any iron railings which are required for the safety of the public or to prevent livestock from straying or which may otherwise serve a useful function and, if removed, would have to be replaced in some other form. Questions of accident or damage should not therefore arise.

While hoping that my hon. Friend is right, I am afraid I cannot agree with his statement, and would he consider bringing any such loss or damage under the War Damage Act in view of the fact that it would actually occur as a result of the war?

I will certainly look into it.

Can the hon. Gentleman give an assurance that any 18th century wrought iron railings of artistic value acquired by his Department will be preserved, even if the local authorities are ignorant of their artistic value, as is so often the case?

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Supply, whether he is aware that many tons of redundant steel tramway rails could be salvaged by local authorities; whether the Ministry requires this steel for war purposes; and, if so, will he issue instructions to the local authorities to recover them?

Yes, Sir. Steps have already been taken, in co-operation with local authorities, for the removal of much of this material and more than one-third of the total estimated tonnage of these tramlines has so far been recovered. Care must be taken not to interfere unduly with important traffic routes.

May I ask the hon. Gentleman whether his attention is being given to the question of taking up the remaining rails?

Yes, but we have to be careful not to disturb unduly, or block traffic routes Which may be of the greatest importance both at present, and possibly in the immediate future.

Is the Parliamentary Secretary aware of the high cost of removing such rails, and does he consider the present shortage of steel warrants their removal?