AIR RAID PRECAUTIONS.

HC Deb 11 March 1937 vol 321 cc1318-20

21. Miss Wilkinson

asked the Home Secretary whether, in view of the publication by German scientists of an official report on the effectiveness of German poison gas and air raid precautions, he will arrange for some report as to the comparative efficacy of the British methods, and French, to be published by authoritative experts?

The Under-Secretary of State for the Home Department (Mr. Geoffrey Lloyd)

I am not aware of an official German report on this subject. Perhaps the hon. Member will be good enough to let me have the particulars in her possession.

Miss Wilkinson

If I may, I will send the hon. Gentleman a copy, but may I ask him, with very great respect, whether it is not the duty of his Department to be cognisant of research work that is being done in regard to this matter in all countries?

Mr. Lloyd

Yes, Sir, we have very full particulars, but the fact remains that we have not the particulars for which the hon. Lady asks.

28. Mr. Wilson

asked the Home Secretary how long it would be likely to take to clear the courtyard of an II-storey building, such as Queen Anne's Mansions, of gas in the event of a gas bomb falling therein?

Mr. Lloyd

I am advised that, in the absence of information about the size of the bomb, the gas employed, and the weather conditions obtaining at the time, the basis of even the roughest estimate is lacking.

Miss Wilkinson

In view of the fact that all the data are lacking with regard to his official air raid precautions, why is the hon. Gentleman still able to maintain that they will be completely effective?

32. Mr. Parker

asked the Home Secretary whether he has any information concerning the measures which have been taken to protect the population of Paris from air raids; whether he will state their main features; and how far the Air Raids Precautions Department has taken them into consideration?

Mr. Lloyd

The Air Raids Precautions Department has a considerable amount of information about the precautions which are being adopted in Paris; but I am afraid that I cannot attempt to summarise the information within the compass of an answer to a Parliamentary question. In regard to the last part of the question, I would refer the hon. Member to the reply which I gave on Thursday last to a question by the hon. Member for Ogmore (Mr. E. J. Williams).

33. Mr. Parker

asked the Home Secretary whether the gas masks now on show at the Royal Horticultural Hall are samples of those which are intended for distribution by the Air Raids Precautions Department in the time of war?

Mr. Lloyd

The reply is in the affirmative so far as concerns the exhibit in the Air Raids Precautions stand. I would add that there were, in addition, respirators of foreign manufacture on view elsewhere in the Hall.

34. Mr. Parker

asked the Home Secretary what measures have been taken to protect foodstuffs in the event of war?

Mr. Lloyd

The question of the protection of foodstuffs from destruction or contamination by air attack is receiving detailed attention by the Departments concerned. I am not in a position to make any statement on the subject at the moment.

Mr. T. Williams

Have the Government made up their minds where the food will be stored?

Vice-Admiral Taylor

Are not the Naval Estimates which we are to discuss to achieve a method for that purpose?

35. Mrs. Tate

asked the Home Secretary what arrangements, if any, are being made by his Department to send instructors and apparatus to hospitals, in order that hospital staffs may become proficient in the use of gas masks and the necessary steps to take in the event of war?

Mr. Lloyd

Sixteen medical instructors have been appointed who are giving instruction in anti-gas precautions to medical practitioners, nurses, and medical students. Up to the end of last month 3,059 doctors, 2,459 nurses and 569 medical students had been trained. Arrangements are made through the British Medical Association, the College of Nursing and the medical schools respectively, and the instruction is often given at a hospital.

Mrs. Tate

In the event of a doctor in charge of a mental hospital who has taken steps to make himself proficient in the use of masks applying for permission to instruct a certain number of his staff, would that permission be given to him?

Mr. Lloyd

It would be given in any event.

Mr. Bellenger

Is it the intention of the Government to centralise instruction mainly in the Home Office School, such as we witnessed there yesterday?

Mr. Lloyd

In regard to medical training, these doctors are stationed in the various key points throughout the country.