§ 59. Mr. Kirbyasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how far his Department have progressed in the matter of the supply of gas-masks for the inhabitants of Liverpool and district?
§ The Under-Secretary of State for the Home Department (Mr. Geoffrey Lloyd)About 3,000,000 respirators have been placed in the Regional Depot in Liverpool.
§ 60. Mr. Kirbyasked the Home Secretary whether he appreciates the importance of Liverpool as a shipping port in the event of war, and that, because of its vulnerability in the event of air-raids and the need to take every possible precaution against air attacks, it will be necessary 33 for the city council to formulate preventive schemes of an extensive and expensive character; and whether he will give special consideration to the claim of the corporation that air-raid precautions in respect of the port shall be entirely met by the National Exchequer?
§ Mr. LloydPerhaps the hon. Member will await my right hon. Friend's statement on the Bill later in the day.
§ Mr. KirbyHave any representations been received in recent weeks from the Town Clerk of Liverpool in regard to this matter?
§ 61. Mr. R. C. Morrisonasked the Home Secretary how many public authorities have appointed air-raid precautions officers on a full-time basis; and will he give particulars?
§ Mr. LloydThe hon. Member will appreciate that there has not hitherto been any obligation on local authorities to inform my right hon. Friend of the appointment of air-raid precautions organising officers. He is, however, aware that 23 county councils, 13 county borough councils and 42 other local authorities have appointed for this purpose officers other than chief constables or persons on the ordinary staff of the authority. My right hon. Friend has no complete information as to which of these officers are employed on a full-time basis.
§ Mr. BellengerHave the Home Office issued any directions to local authorities as to the appointment of these officials—with regard, for instance, to their salaries?