HC Deb 28 July 1938 vol 338 cc3276-7
24. Sir Cooper Rawson

asked the Home Secretary whether he will take appropriate steps to make it clear, as doubt exists, that the cost of providing air-raid precautions and shelters for individual householders, as such, must fall entirely on the householders without any grant from public funds which will only be made in the case of public shelters for emergency use?

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

No grant will be available in respect of private shelters, but there is provision For relief to be given on taxation and rating.

38. Mr. Hutchinson

asked the Home Secretary whether it is intended to authorise any distinctive buttonhole badge for members of the auxiliary fire service?

Mr. Lloyd

Yes, Sir. My right hon. Friend is about to issue a communication to local authorities on the subject.

Mr. Hutchinson

Is my hon. Friend able to say when these badges will be available?

Mr. Lloyd

I could not say without notice.

39. Mr. Simmonds

asked the Home Secretary the number of local authorities who are enabling auxiliary firemen to have practical experience upon air-raid precautions pump equipment by utilising their services in response to fire calls?

Mr. Lloyd

I am unable to give figures of the number of places at which auxiliary fire service personnel, when they are trained, are afforded opportunities to attend at fires with the regular brigade. This course is adopted by a number of local authorities, and the Home Office is anxious to encourage the extensive adoption of this useful method of training.