§ 43. Mr. MORGAN JONESasked the President of the Board of Education whether any plans have been made for the training of school children in gas-mask drill, or whether such plans are contemplated?
§ Mr. JONESMay I ask whether the Board of Education does not consider it desirable for it to deal with this matter in the same way as the Home Office seems to have done?
§ Mr. RAMSBOTHAMThe hon. Member had better refer any further question on that matter to the Home Office.
§ 65. Mr. MORGAN JONESasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether the Air Raids Precautions Committee has considered the problem of food supplies in the event of an air attack; and what provisions are being made in this connection?
§ The UNDER-SECRETARY of STATE for the HOME DEPARTMENT (Captain Euan Wallace)The question of food supplies in the event of air attack is being considered as part of the whole problem of air raid precautions.
§ 67. Mr. DOBBIEasked the Home Secretary whether he will indicate the present extent of the supplies of activated charcoal suitable for use in filter boxes of gas masks at present available in this country; whether the supplies available are sufficient to equip gas masks for the whole of the population; whether he can indicate the effective life of such charcoal when the gas mask is in use and in storage; and whether the supplies available are capable of replacing the charcoal in the filter boxes and, if so, at what interval of time?
§ Captain WALLACEActivated charcoal does not deteriorate in storage and can be kept indefinitely. It would not be in the public interest to give the further information for which the hon. Member asks.
§ 68. Mr. DOBBIEasked the Home Secretary the cost of refuges from high explosives and incendiary bombs for the London area and for Glasgow, Manchester, Cardiff, and Birmingham, respectively?
§ Captain WALLACENo such estimate can be given: but it is known that the cost of providing, on any extensive scale, refuges which would be proof against direct hits by high explosive bombs would be prohibitive.
§ 69. Mr. DOBBIEasked the Home Secretary what plans, if any, have been made to prevent the sale of worthless, 1833 inefficient, and dangerous gas masks to the general public; does he propose to institute financial control over such firms in order to prevent profiteering; further, does he intend to examine such products systematically in order to ensure that inefficient appliances are not sold to the general public; and will he take steps to ensure that the durability and reliability of all gas masks, both in use and in storage, is clearly indicated on the mask when it is sold?
§ Captain WALLACEThe Government are fully alive to the importance of protecting the public against the sale of respirators of inferior capabilities, and are actively investigating the most suitable means of achieving this object. Special consideration is being given to the question of inspection.
§ 70. Mr. D. GRENFELLasked the Home Secretary whether the Air Raids Precautions Committee has devised any means to prevent the explosion of gas mains and water aqueducts in the event of bombardment by incendiary and high explosive bombs; and whether precautions can be taken to ensure that the flooding of underground shelters be avoided?
§ Captain WALLACEThe question of protecting pipes and cables of public utility services together with measures for mitigating the effects of damage and for ensuring speedy repair are being investigated with the undertakings concerned.
§ 72. Mr. LOGANasked the Home Secretary what quantities of bleaching powder, which can be used as a decontaminating agent against poison gas, are available; how long can such re-agent be stored without deterioration; and does he propose to recommend its use to local authorities?
§ Captain WALLACEBleaching powder is an ordinary commercial product, but particulars of the available stocks cannot be stated. Its deterioration is largely a question of methods of packing and storage. Information to local authorities as to its use for decontamination purposes will be included in publications now in course of preparation.
§ Captain WALLACEI think that will remain to be settled later.
§ 73. Mr. MORGAN JONESasked the Home Secretary by which building societies and for which districts his Department has been consulted regarding plans for the building of bomb-proof shelters for their tenants; and whether his Department will arrange for the inspection and approval of such shelters?
§ Captain WALLACEDuring the past 12 months my Department has been approached by the builders of a housing estate in Middlesex and by two persons responsible for erecting flats in North London. They were advised as to the design and the degree of protection which the proposed shelters would be likely to afford. It is intended, as stated in paragraph 8 of the recent Circular to Local Authorities, that specific advice on this subject shall be made generally available.