§ 62. Mr. Parkerasked the Home Secretary what is the rate of rise of pressure across the filter when arsenic smokes are present in the area in a concentration of 0.6 grammes per cubic metre and are breathed through a civilian respirator?
§ The Under-Secretary of State for the Home Department (Mr. Geoffrey Lloyd)The concentration of arsenical gas mentioned in the question is extremely high and such as can only be produced in quite exceptional circumstances. It is considered that such concentrations are unlikely to be encountered by the general civilian population under ordinary practical conditions, and the question as to the behaviour of the civilian respirator under these hypothetical conditions has, therefore, no practical significance.
§ 63. Mr. Parkerasked the Home Secretary for what period of time the civilian respirator is calculated to give complete protection, respectively, when phosgene is present in the air in a concentration of 10 grammes per cubic metre, and when mustard gas vapour is being given from the ground when the atmospheric temperature is 15° C. and there is no wind?
§ Mr. LloydThe concentration of phosgene mentioned in the question is extremely high. Such a concentration would be very difficult to maintain under ordinary practical conditions. It would, therefore, be misleading to give the period for which the civilian respirator affords protection against such concentrations. The Government are, however, satisfied that this respirator will afford protection against such concentrations as are likely to be encountered by the general civilian 181 population under normal conditions. The civilian respirator will protect the wearer for very long periods against mustard gas vapour under the conditions mentioned in the question.