§ 68. Mr. R. Gibsonasked the Lord Privy Seal what are the requirements of Greenock with regard to the personnel for the purposes of air-raid precautions and allied services; and how far these have been met by the response of volunteers to date?
§ The Lord Privy Seal (Sir John Anderson)It is estimated that in Greenock about 2,400 persons would be required for these services—including the auxiliary fire services but pot including the police services. The number of persons enrolled to date is approximately 1,200.
§ 69. Mr. Erskine Hillasked the Lord Privy Seal how many air-raid wardens are required, how many are enrolled, and how many are fully trained in the cities of Edinburgh, Glasgow, Aberdeen, and Dundee, respectively?
§ Sir J. AndersonWith my hon. Friend's permission I will circulate the figures in the OFFICIAL REPORT.
§ Mr. Erskine HillIs the right hon. Gentleman satisfied with the steps that are being taken to fill up the gaps in the scheme?
§ Sir J. AndersonNo, Sir.
§ Following are the figures:
| — | Number of Air Raid Wardens estimated to be required. | Number of Air Raid Wardens enrolled at 31st October 1938. | Number of Air Raid Wardens reported as fully trained at 31st October, 1938. |
| Edinburgh | 5,300 | 3,723 | 1,389 |
| Glasgow | 15,000 | 4,778 | 2,366 |
| Aberdeen | 2,000 | 2,180 | 471 |
| Dundee | 2,100 | 468 | 179 |
§ 70. Mr. Lyonsasked the Lord Privy Seal whether he will give complete figures in relation to the city of Leicester regarding requirements of volunteers for the purpose of air-raid precautions and similar purposes, and the responses up to date?
§ Sir J. AndersonIt is estimated that Leicester will require about 6,000 volunteers for their general air-raid precautions, apart from reserves, and they reported that up to 31st October 6,603 had been enrolled. For the emergency fire scheme the number required is 1,600, but I have received no recent return of the number enrolled. The latest return received showed that 450 were enrolled up to 31st August.
§ Sir J. AndersonYes, Sir.
§ 71. Mr. Liddallasked the Lord Privy Seal the present position of the city of Lincoln in regard to the requirements and response of volunteers for the purposes of air-raid precautions and other services?
§ Sir J. AndersonIt is estimated that Lincoln will require about 1,600 volunteers for their general air-raid precautions, of whom 998 were reported as enrolled up to the 31st October. For the emergency fire scheme the number required is 420, but I have no recent return of the number enrolled. The last return showed there were 61 enrolled up to 31st August.
§ Colonel Sir Charles MacAndrewWhen he is getting the volunteers so well cannot the right hon. Gentleman do something to give them equipment with which to practise, because in certain parts of Ayrshire they have the volunteers but have not the equipment?
§ Mr. Benjamin SmithCan the right hon. Gentleman say approximately the number of females concerned, and what are the ages of the male volunteers?
§ Sir J. AndersonNot without notice.
§ Mr. Garro JonesWill the right hon. Gentleman make it clear that his answers are not intended to show that there is any lag in the recruitment of personnel as compared with the provision of equipment, and, in particular, that the provision of fire equipment lags far behind the number of volunteers?
§ Mr. Garro JonesOn a point of Order. Half a dozen questions have been put by Conservative back benchers with a view to indicate a certain tendency in the recruitment for air-raid precautions and the Minister has given answers which appear to confirm that tendency. Is he not to be allowed to give a reply refuting that position?
§ Mr. SpeakerThe supplementary question has nothing to do with the question on the Order Paper.