§ 78. Sir Gifford Foxasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether any arrangements are being made to introduce a standardised air raid warning for the whole country; what its nature will be; and by what date particulars will be announced and the machinery be ready for operation?
§ The Under-Secretary of State for the Home Department (Mr. Geoffrey Lloyd)The sounding of public air raid warnings will be a responsibility of local authorities, except in London where it is considered that a centralised system will be necessary. The Home Office intends to advise local authorities on means of giving these warnings, in so far as existing sirens and hooters are not sufficient, and on the nature and duration of the warnings. It is not considered that complete standardisation is necessary or possible. Before detailed advice can be given, certain 1611 trials with various types of sound-making instruments are to be conducted in London. My hon. Friend may be assured that the machinery will be ready for operation at short notice, but I cannot say at the present moment when it will be possible to give particulars.