HC Deb 09 May 1938 vol 335 cc1234-6
42. Mr. R. C. Morrison

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether employé's of railway companies are being permitted by their employers to enrol as volunteers under local authorities air-raid precautions schemes?

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

I am informed that the companies are placing no obstacle in the way of employé's desiring to enrol as volunteers under air-raid precaution schemes of local authorities, but have warned them that their hours of duty under such schemes must necessarily be subject during an emergency to the railway service having first claim upon their services.

Mr. Morrison

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that railway employé's feel that the warning has been given in such a form, that they are receiving no encouragement to join in the local authorities' air-raid precautions schemes; and is he further aware that uncertainty as to the attitude of the employers as to these schemes, is one of the biggest factors in preventing people from volunteering?

Mr. Lloyd

The hon. Gentleman will, I am sure, appreciate the importance in the air-raid precautions schemes of the railways themselves as essential services, but I will look further into the point.

Sir J. Nall

Is it not a fact that the railway companies are going to considerable trouble and expense in training and organising men for this work?

Mr. Morrison

Will the Minister not ask the railway companies to make a public statement to the effect that they have no objection to their employé's volunteering under local authorities' schemes, provided that the work required from them by the local authorities is done in their off-time?

Mr. Lloyd

In view of what the hon. Member has said I will inquire further into the matter.

45. Miss Ward

asked the Home Secretary which local authorities in Northumberland have submitted air-raid precaution schemes; and which schemes have been approved?

Mr. Lloyd

As regards air-raid general precautions schemes under the Air-Raid Precautions Act, no formal schemes have yet been received from any authority in the county, but the preparation of schemes is progressing steadily in accordance with the normal practice under the Act of advance authorisation, and in the City of Newcastle in particular the detailed preparations are well advanced. Fire precautions schemes have so far been received from eight authorities in the county, and two of these schemes have been substantially settled with the authority concerned.

Miss Ward

How many other of the advanced provisional schemes have been agreed upon?

Mr. Lloyd

I think I ought to inform the hon. Lady that the normal procedure under the Act is not to wait for formal schemes, but whenever any particular detailed proposal comes forward, such, for example, as arrangements for training or the appointment of an organiser, to approve that particular proposal at once, so that the general work of the scheme can proceed as quickly as possible.

Miss Ward

How many volunteers have come forward from Newcastle?

Mr. Lloyd

I understand there are about 2,000 wardens in Newcastle, and about 50 per cent. of these are already trained.

Mr. Thorne

How is it that the Irish Free State have not bothered about air-raid precautions? What is the reason?