HC Deb 12 July 1938 vol 338 cc1105-7
40. Mr. Perkins

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he is aware that gas masks are being offered for sale at l0s. each; and whether these gas masks have been approved by the Home Office; and whether it is part of the policy of the Government to encourage people to buy their own gas masks?

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

I am aware that respirators are being offered for sale: but no such respirator has been approved by the Home Office unless it bears the Home Office certification mark. The object of the mark system is to meet any special demand at home or overseas; it is the Government's policy to supply respirators for the whole of the civilian population free of charge.

Mr. Sorensen

Does the hon. Gentleman think it well that there should be this gross exploitation of the fears of the people, seeing that there are already millions of official gas masks available?

Mr. Lloyd

The more it is known that these gas masks are being kept available by the Government, the better.

Mr. Sorensen

In that case, is it desirable to allow commercial exploitation of gas masks?

Mr. Lloyd

My right hon. Friend has no power to alter that.

Mr. Noel-Baker

In view of the danger of uncontrolled sale, will the Minister consider the prohibition of the sale of gas masks without Government approval?

Hon. Members

Answer.

Miss Wilkinson

Is the Minister's refusal due to the fact that people in more comfortable circumstances hope to get better quality gas masks at a higher price?

42. Mr. Duncan

asked the Home Secretary whether he will make a statement regarding the visit of the Under-Secretary of State to certain London boroughs to inspect the progress of air-raid precautions schemes; and whether he is satisfied with that progress?

Mr. Lloyd

I visited Islington, BethnaI Green, Stepney, Wandsworth and Westminster and saw various aspects of the air-raid precautions activities in each borough. The results achieved in the London boroughs vary. No one would seek to disguise the fact that there is still a great deal to the done, but steady progress is being made, and I am confident that all concerned are anxious to see that progress accelerated.

Mr. Duncan

If it is true, as was stated in the "Times" last week, that London is behind the provinces, will my hon. Friend do everything he can to co-operate with the London boroughs to see that London is brought up to standard?

Mr. Lloyd

I think the London local authorities do wish to make progress now as quickly as possible.

Colonel Sandeman Allen

Has it not always been true that what Manchester thinks to-day, London thinks tomorrow?

Sir Arthur Salter

In view of the special difficulty and danger in the case of London, does not my hon. Friend think it really essential to have more centralisation in authority and in initiative for the whole London area?

43. Mr. Duncan

asked the Home Secretary how many and which London boroughs have now gas-mask stores in working order; and whether he will urge all those that have not, the necessity of providing them, in view of the large number of gas-masks now available for distribution to such stores?

Mr. Lloyd

In a circular addressed to local authorities last week, my right hon. Friend expressed the hope that arrangements for the local storage of respirators would be so expedited as to enable supplies for all the larger centres of population to be accepted before the end of August. Two boroughs in London already have a fully stocked store and in a number of other boroughs steps are being taken which should enable delivery of respirators to be accepted within the period mentioned in the circular.