§ 34. Mr. MATHERSasked the Home Secretary what action has been taken with university authorities in general, and Edinburgh in particular, in relation to anti-poison-gas instruction; whether this has been included in the curriculum as a compulsory subject by his order; what authority he has for such action; and whether it is intended to impose any penalty upon students who object to take such a subject as part of their studies in the public health course?
§ Mr. LLOYDMy right hon. Friend has appointed a number of medical instructors in anti-gas precautions who, amongst 1032 their duties, will give instruction to medical students in accordance with arrangements which have been made with the authorities of universities and medical schools. The question whether this subject should be taught on a compulsory or voluntary basis is a matter entirely for the authorities responsible for medical education.
§ Mr. MATHERSAre the hon. Gentleman and the Home Secretary himself aware that, apart from those students who think that to have this instruction is to give way to the idea that war is inevitable, there is a strong body of opinion that they are being, in this way, included in what may be described as the Government's military machine, and that it is on that ground that the objection is raised to the compulsory nature of the instruction?
Vice-Admiral TAYLORIs it not in the public interest that such instruction should take place generally throughout the country?
§ 38. Major-General Sir ALFRED KNOXasked the Home Secretary whether satisfactory arrangements have been made for the large-scale manufacture of gas-masks?
§ Mr. LLOYDYes, Sir. Substantial stocks of components of the civilian respirator have already been produced, and we expect to be in large scale assembly by next month.
§ Sir A. KNOXCan the hon. Gentleman give me any idea what the weekly output is now, and when there will be sufficient to equip all people who are likely to be in danger of air attack, in the South of England?
§ Mr. LLOYDWe expect the production of this factory to be running roughly at the rate of 2,000,000 per month very shortly.
§ Mr. THORNECan the hon. Gentleman give information as to when they will be required?
§ Sir P. HARRISWhat company has a monopoly of the particular process of production which is considered safe by the Government?
§ 42. Mr. BROOKEasked the Home Secretary whether it is the intention of the Air Raids Precautions Department to issue a handbook free to the public on air raid precautions; if so, when such handbooks will be issued; and if and to what extent such handbooks have yet been printed?
§ Mr. LLOYDAs I have previously stated, this matter is under active consideration. A large number of important details are involved, and I will inform the House as soon as I am in a position to do so.
§ Mr. BROOKEIs it not a fact that over 1,500,000 of these handbooks have been printed and are lying unused in the cellars of the Home Office? Who gave authority for them to be printed?
§ Mr. BOSSOMWill the hon. Member explain when the people who are to use these gas masks will be fitted with them?
§ Mr. G. HARDIEWill it not be the night before?