§ 66. Miss Wilkinsonasked the Home Secretary whether, in arranging for the storage of gas masks for the civilian population, he is making any provision for their periodical testing to guard against their becoming ineffective through deterioration?
§ Sir W. DavisonWill individuals be allowed, if they so desire, to store their own gas masks?
§ Mr. LloydNo, Sir. I do not think that would be technically possible, because gas masks have to be stored in two atmospheres.
§ Miss WilkinsonCan the hon. Gentleman assure the House that these arrangements for testing gas masks are somewhat more effective than those carried out for finding whether they were effective originally?
§ Miss WilkinsonIn view of the fact that that statement is not based on my own authority but on the authority of eminent scientists, would it not be better if the Home Office took into consideration those scientists' views rather than merely cast aspersions on anyone attempting to put those views before the House?
§ Mr. LloydI would remind the hon. Lady that the Home Office is advised by a hundred outside eminent scientists and that these experiments were conducted by a special sub-committee of the Chemical Defence Committee on the highest possible scientific authority.
§ 68. Mr. R. Gibson (for Mr. Batey)asked the Home Secretary the number of gas masks provided for the county of Durham; and also the areas in which they are stored?
§ Mr. LloydYes, Sir provision has been made for about one and a half million respirators to meet the requirements of the county of Durham. A regional supply depot, which is expected to be ready about March, 1938, is being provided at Gateshead and the respirators for the county of Durham will be delivered there for transfer to store centres in close proximity to the population to be served.
§ Mr. LloydYes, Sir, we are always in close communication with the Chemical Defence Committee, and any improvements of a technical kind are at once brought to the attention of the Home Office Air-Raid Precautions Department.