§ 24. Sir Louis Smithasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he will consider the desirability of arranging that, after a certain date, it shall be a condition of remaining on the Government contract list that adequate arrangements shall be made to protect the employees in the factories concerned against the dangers of air raids?
§ The Under-Secretary of State for the Home Department (Mr. Geoffrey Lloyd)Steps are being taken to impress upon the principal firms holding Government contracts the view of the Government that every employer of labour should take suitable precautions for the protection of his workpeople, and the safeguarding of his plant, and arrangements are under consideration for securing periodical reports upon the progress made in these respects in establishments working upon Government contracts.
§ Sir L. SmithWill my hon. Friend be able to give the House information from time to time?
32. Miss Wardasked the Home Secretary when works engaged on work in connection with the rearmament programme are to be made eligible for air-raid precautions grants?
§ Mr. LloydThe Government have not in contemplation any grant to such works in respect of precautions which all employers are expected to undertake.
Miss WardIn view of the fact that these firms are carrying out just as essential service to the nation as public utility companies, will my hon. Friend reconsider his decision?
§ Mr. LloydThe Government are proceeding more on the lines of the reply given to the question by the hon. Member for Huddersfield (Mr. Mabane).