§ 13. Sir R. KEYESasked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he will consider allowing ratings who leave the Royal Navy on completing time for pension to retain their gas masks; and whether he will consider taking steps to secure the services of these men in the anti-gas voluntary organisations in the districts where they reside?
§ Sir S. HOAREAs respirators deteriorate with age, it is preferred to continue the present practice of putting back into service the anti-gas respirators of men who leave the Royal Navy on pension. If retained by pensioners they could not long be regarded as serviceable for use in war. With regard to the second part of the question, recruitment of these organisations is primarily a matter for the local authority concerned, but in any case recruitment is on a voluntary basis.
§ Mr. A. BEVANIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that the statement that gas masks deteriorate is flatly contradicted by the Home Office?
§ Sir S. HOARENo, Sir, I cannot believe that.