§ 40. Sir Thomas Cookasked the Home Secretary the progress of the arrangements for air-raid precautions in the county of Norfolk?
§ Mr. LloydThe Norfolk County Council has been in close touch with the Air-Raid Precautions Department since its inception, and a considerable volume of preliminary work has been carried out by the County Council. A county air-raid precautions officer has now been appointed, and it may be expected that a working organisation will soon be evolved.
§ 43. Colonel Nathanasked the Home Secretary what directions it is proposed to issue, and when, for the information of the main hospitals and the special hospitals in London as to what steps they should take for the protection of their patients, staff, and buildings against injury by air raids, and as to what is expected of them, respectively, in the event of an air raid?
§ Mr. LloydThis matter presents difficult problems. As regards the first part of the question a handbook on such structural precautions as are practicable 581 is in an advanced stage of preparation and will be available shortly. On the last part, a survey of the position of the hospitals in London is being made by the Ministry of Health and the medical authorities.
§ Colonel NathanIs the hon. Gentleman able to say what the committees of hospitals, which at present are completely without information and quite unable to obtain guidance, should do to discharge their responsibilities towards their patients and their staffs?
§ Mr. LloydThis handbook will be available shortly, and in the meantime we shall be glad to advise any hospital.
§ Colonel NathanDoes the responsibility for hospitals rest entirely with the Home Office, or is it partly in the hands of the Ministry of Health, having regard to certain communications on the subject which have recently been addressed to certain hospitals by the Ministry of Health?