HC Deb 04 February 1937 vol 319 cc1746-8
19. Mr. Porritt

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how far preparations for the storage of gas-masks have progressed; and whether he can state the maximum number it is intended to store in any one warehouse which will allow of their expeditious distribution in time of emergency?.

The Under-Secretary of State for the Home Department (Mr. Geoffrey Lloyd)

Two regional store depots for the storage of gas masks have been acquired, one at Manchester and one in the London district. These have between them a capacity of about 4,000,000 gas-masks and facilities for their inspection and preservation. Eleven more regional store depots will be needed and urgent steps are being taken to obtain them. The system of distribution from these regional store depots is now under investigation and it is hoped that a suitable working arrangement will he devised which will include the use of local store depots, each with a capacity of about 30,000 gas-masks. Ultimately the regional depots will be used to house the reserves of gas-masks and of other stores required in connection with air raid precautions, some of which are of a bulky character.

Mr. Thorne

Is it not the case that these gas-masks will have very much deteriorated before the war starts?

Hon. Members

We hope so.

Mr. Lloyd

No, Sir; special technical precautions have been taken so that these gas-masks will not deteriorate.

20. Mr. A. Henderson

asked the Home Secretary what steps are being taken to adapt parts of homes and places of work in London and other centres so as to convert them into shelters which are gas-proof and splinter-proof?

Mr. Lloyd

The adaptation of rooms and other places as air raid shelters would for the most part fall to be carried out when the risk of air attack appeared to be imminent. Information on the steps to be taken is contained, as regards industrial premises, in a handbook for factories and business premises already published by the Air Raid Precautions Department. As regards private houses, a certain amount of information has already been given in the handbook called "Personal Protection against Gas." I am sending the hon. Member a copy of each of these publications. More detailed information as regards private houses will be given in a handbook which is in an advanced state of preparation. The structural aspects of air raid shelters in new buildings are under examination.

Mr. Henderson

Will not the provision of these shelters be too late when the risks are imminent?

Mr. Lloyd

I think the hon. Gentleman and I are a little at cross purposes. I was referring to shelters in the sense of rooms in private houses and factories being made gas-proof and splinter-proof. If private persons carry out the advice contained in the publication which will be issued shortly, to ear-mark a room in each house for this purpose, the actual preparations which will have to be made at the time will not take long.

Mr. Sandys

Will the Government consider the desirability of obtaining powers enabling them to insist, in connection with the erection of new factories, on gas-proof and bomb-proof shelters being provided?

Mr. Lloyd

I would like notice of that question.

Mr. Logan

Can the hon. Gentleman say whether any attempt is being made to make this place gas-proof?