Civil Defence Act 1939

1. Introductory Text

2. PART I The Minister.

   1. 1. Transfer of functions of Secretary of State.

3. PART II Public Shelters, &c.

   1. 2. Designation of premises.

   2. 3. Appeal from designation of premises.

   3. 4. Execution of works.

   4. 5. Designated premises to remain unaltered.

   5. 6. Compensation where works are executed.

   6. 7. Powers of local authorities to construct underground shelters and other premises required for civil defence purposes.

   7. 8. Powers of local authorities to construct underground car-parks suitable for use as air-raid shelters.

   8. 9. Power of local authorities to construct air-raid shelters in streets.

   9. 10. Agreements under Part II between local authority and occupiers of factory premises and owners of commercial buildings.

   10. 11. Local authority for purposes of Part II.

4. PART III Private Shelters and Training in certain Factories, Mines and Buildings.

   1. 12. Application of Part III.

   2. 13. Code for occupiers of factories, and c.

   3. 14. Duty of occupiers of factory premises and owners of mines and commercial buildings to make reports.

   4. 15. Power of occupier or owner to execute works.

   5. 16. Power of factory inspector, mines inspector or local authority to require provision of air-raid shelter.

   6. 17. Appeals.

   7. 18. Provisions as to factory premises occupied under short leases.

   8. 19. Provisions as to commercial buildings when owner does not occupy the whole building.

   9. 20. Contributions in respect of works commenced before the passing of this Act.

   10. 21. Saving for rights of occupier or owner existing apart from this Part.

   11. 22. Exchequer grants in respect of provision of air-raid shelter in factory premises, mines, commercial buildings, and c.

   12. 23. Training of employees.

   13. 24. Saving for certain authorities.

   14. 25. Local authority for purposes of Part III.

5. PART IV Other Provisions as to Shelter.

   1. 26. Erection of shelters provided by the Crown.

   2. 27. Affixing of appliances provided by the Crown for strengthening basements.

   3. 28. Restriction of removal of shelters and appliances.

   4. 29. Loans by local authorities to owners of dwelling-houses.

   5. 30. Provision of air-raid shelter in certain buildings.

   6. 31. Special provisions as to land used in common by tenants of certain buildings.

   7. 32. Execution of works by owner of dwelling-house.

   8. 33. Power to make regulations as to construction, alteration or extension of buildings.

   9. 34. Increase of housing subsidy as respects certain flats.

   10. 35. Provisions as to local authorities for purposes of Part IV.

6. PART V Public Utility Undertakings.

   1. 36. Duty of public utility undertakers to make reports.

   2. 37. Power to require measures to be taken.

   3. 38. General grant in respect of expenses in providing shelter for employees.

   4. 39. Grants in respect of measures to secure due functioning of undertakings.

   5. 40. Provisions as to railway undertakings.

   6. 41. Provisions as to dock and harbour undertakings.

   7. 42. Provisions as to electricity undertakings.

7. PART VI Obscuration of lights and camouflage.

   1. 43. General duty as to factories, mines and public utility undertakings.

   2. 44. Provisions as to processes involving flames or glare.

   3. 45. Camouflage.

   4. 46. Grants under Part VI.

   5. 47. Penalty for failure to comply with notice.

   6. 48. Saving for provisions of Part V.

   7. 49. Provisions as to practice of dimming lights.

8. PART VII Measures to deal with casualties and disease.

   1. 50. Powers of Minister of Health.

   2. 51. Duties of local authorities.

   3. 52. Temporary transfer of officers.

   4. 53. Financial provisions.

   5. 54. Powers conferred by this Part to be in substitution for powers under Act of 1937.

   6. 55. Provisions as to combination of councils.

9. PART VIII Miscellaneous.

   1. 56. Evacuation of civil population.

   2. 57. Requisition of premises and vehicles.

   3. 58. Special provisions as to supply of water for extinguishing fires.

   4. 59. Power of Minister of Transport to acquire plant and materials for repair of roads and bridges.

   5. 60. Power of Minister as to stocks of building material.

   6. 61. Power of Minister to make byelaws with respect to land used for experiments with explosives.

   7. 62. Power of local authorities and public utility undertakers to appropriate lands and buildings for purposes of civil defence.

   8. 63. Amendment of s. 5 of Act of 1937.

   9. 64. Compulsory hiring of land.

   10. 65. Powers of bodies corporate as to measures against hostile attack.

   11. 66. Extension of borrowing powers of trustees, and c.

   12. 67. Property in equipment, appliances and material provided by the Crown or local authorities.

   13. 68. Penalty for unauthorised use of uniforms, medals and badges.

   14. 69. Provision of air-raid shelter not to increase valuation for rating.

   15. 70. Enlargement of scope of town planning schemes.

   16. 71. Compensation in the event of injury to persons engaged in air-raid precautions activities.

   17. 72. Directions to local authorities to discharge functions with respect to air-raid precautions.

   18. 73. Power to transfer functions of defaulting authority.

10. PART IX Supplemental.

    1. 74. Determination of claims to compensation and increases of rent.

    2. 75. Supplementary provisions as to appeals to Minister.

    3. 76. Rules as to form of reports.

    4. 77. Penalty for false statements.

    5. 78. Criminal liability of directors, officers, and c.

    6. 79. Power of factory inspectors and local authorities to enter premises and penalty for obstruction.

    7. 80. Service of documents.

    8. 81. Exemption of certain works from building byelaws, and c.

    9. 82. Covenants to repair and reinstate not to apply to works executed under this Act.

    10. 83. Financial provisions.

    11. 84. Special provisions as to London.

    12. 85. Consultation with joint committees under Act of 1937.

    13. 86. Exercise of powers of Board of Trade.

    14. 87. Saving for telegraphic lines.

    15. 88. Provisions as to orders, regulations, and c.

    16. 89. Definitions of "factory", "factory premises", " mine " and " commercial building " and interpretation of references to persons working and persons employed.

    17. 90. Other provisions as to interpretation.

    18. 91. Application to Scotland.

    19. 92. Provisions as to Northern Ireland.

    20. 93. Short title and citation.

11. SCHEDULES.

    1. FIRST SCHEDULE

       1. PART I Financing of certain Expenditure of Central Electricity Board and distribution of burden thereof among electricity undertakers.

          1. 1. There shall be established a fund under the control of...

          2. 2. There shall be paid into the fund—

          3. 3. (1) For the purpose of defraying any expenses in respect...

          4. 4. There shall be paid out of the fund—

          5. 5. (1) The Electricity Commissioners shall pay to the Board—

          6. 6. (1) The Central Electricity Board shall, as soon as may...

       2. PART II Disposal of Property acquired by Central Electricity Board under subsection (1) of the principal section.

          1. 1. Any plant, equipment or other property acquired by the Central...

          2. 2. (1) Where it appears to the Minister that all the...

       3. PART III Miscellaneous Provisions.

          1. 1. Where it is material to ascertain— (a) for the purposes...

          2. 2. No account shall be taken of the transactions of the...

    2. SECOND SCHEDULE

       Modifications of Lands Clauses Acts.

       1. 1. The following sections of the Lands Clauses (Consolidation) Act, 1845,...

       2. 2. In the construction of this Act and the Lands Clauses...

       3. 3. At any time after notice to treat has been served,...

       4. 4. Section ninety-two of the Lands Clauses (Consolidation) Act, 1845, shall...

       5. 5. Where any land compulsorily acquired is land belonging to an...