§ 15. Mr. SHINWELLasked the Secretary of State for War whether the standard anti-gas protector for the Army is still the Mark I. V. mobilisation canister, and, if so, whether there are sufficient of these in issue or in stock to supply all the effectives in case of need; and whether he is satisfied that this type provides an effective protection against any of the newer European and Japanese gases that are likely to be encountered in the event of another war?
Mr. COOPERThe anti-gas respirator with which the Army is equipped consists of a facepiece and a container. The present pattern of facepiece is known as Mark IV, but I cannot trace that this designation has ever been applied either to the training container used in peace time or to the mobilisation container for which it is exchanged in war. The hon. Member may, however, rest assured that constant progress is made with the pattern of mobilisation container, and the present one is considered to provide adequate protection against the gases likely to be encountered. Stocks are held to cover requirements as laid down by the Army Council.
§ Mr. SHINWELLIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that the device referred to in the question is employed by the French Government and has been found very imperfect and that the German authorities are scornful of its use, and will he give an assurance that sufficient progress will be made to assure the House and the Forces that the device employed is an adequate protection against the new gases that will be employed in war?
Mr. COOPERI can assure the hon. Member that everything that can be done will be and is being done to keep our defences in this respect as up-to-date as possible, to keep pace with any new gases that may be invented. I do not think that I can give any assurance beyond that.
§ Mr. LANSBURYCan the right hon. Gentleman say whether the nations have now taken it for granted that in the unhappy event of another war the same sort of fighting, but on a larger and more destructive scale, as that which is taking place in Abyssinia by bombing and gas attacks, will be taken part in by our own Government and other Governments?
Mr. COOPERI do not think that the nation need take so fearful an outlook for granted, but the authorities are obliged to make preparations for defence against every possible contingency.
§ Mr. LANSBURYIs it not a fact that our own Government are preparing gases for attack, and that the nation is being provided with these kinds of masks and being drilled for protection which the Government know is no protection?
Mr. COOPERThe question on the Order Paper has only to do with defence, and that is the question with which I have been dealing. I have said that we are taking every possible measure to protect our troops against every form of attack.
§ Mr. KIRKWOODSeeing that the populace are being provided with gas masks in the event of air raids, may I ask what provision is being made for the cattle which supply us with milk and for the hens which supply us with eggs? Are they to have gas masks? It is no use our being supplied with gas masks if our cattle are to be gassed.