asked the Minister for the Co-ordination of Defensive Measures if he will state the total sum expended up to date on A.R.P. measures by (a) the Government and (b) the local authorities; and, further, whether he will state the additional expenditure it is anticipated the completion of the A.R.P. measures will involve for (a) Government and (b) the local authorities.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - A.R.P. Expenditure.
The total sum spent to date by the Department of Defence on A.R.P. equipment and stores is £96,997. Local authorities have spent to date a sum of approximately £29,000. It would not be possible to give firm figures as to the exact cost of future A.R.P. measures. It is, however, estimated that a further sum of £47,000 will be spent by the Department and a further sum of £21,000 by the local authorities before the 31st March, 1940. In the coming financial year 1940-41 it is estimated that the Department's expenditure will be £116,855 and the local authorities' expenditure will be £145,000. As regards the latter sum, 50 per cent. at most will be borne by the local authorities and the remainder by the State.
Mr. Byrne
Is the last part of the Parliamentary Secretary's reply a definite decision? Was it not promised to local authorities at one time that they would get up to 70 per cent. of their expenditure, and now you are imposing on them 50 per cent.? Has not the time arrived in which the Minister should make a statement of policy on A.R.P., owing to the discontent amongst A.R.P. wardens and others concerned, who are without a lead at the moment?
It is a complete black out.
The local authorities never had it conveyed to them that they would get 70 per cent. The Bill makes provision for not more than 70 per cent. in any case, that is, a maximum of 70 per cent. With regard to giving a lead to wardens, it would be well if certain people did not give them a wrong lead.
Mr. Byrne
But they are working under a wrong lead at the moment and are waiting for you to correct them and give an outline as to policy.
That is what I am trying to do.