HC Deb 05 October 1938 vol 339 cc329-31
40. Mr. Graham White

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department when it is proposed to publish the report of the Anderson Committee on the evacuation of the civil population?

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

It has been decided that this report shall be published without delay.

41. Mr. Pilkington

asked the Home Secretary how many gas masks are now available for the general public?

Mr. Lloyd

Approximately 40,000,000 have been manufactured, and further large deliveries are being received each week.

Mr. Pilkington

Is my hon. Friend aware that there is at least one district in this country where there was a very serious deficiency of these gas masks during the recent crisis; and can he give an assurance that such conditions will not occur again?

Major Colfox

Can my hon. Friend say what will be done with those gas masks which have been issued to the public recently—whether they will be re-collected and stored?

Mr. Lloyd

With regard to the first supplementary question, as we have 40,000,000, it is obvious that we have not enough for the entire population; but I have said that further large deliveries are being received each week. With regard to the second supplementary question, we are going into that matter very carefully at the present time. A number of complicated questions are involved, which will come up for decision quite shortly.

Miss Wilkinson

As these gas masks are, we understand, completely harmless, would it not be as well to let the children continue to play with them?

Mr. R. C. Morrison

(by Private Notice) asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he is aware of the uncertainty of local authorities, business firms and the general public, as to future action with regard to air-raid precautions, and whether he has any statement to make?

The Secretary of State for the Home Department (Sir Samuel Hoare)

I recognise the importance of informing local authorities and all concerned about the future development of air-raid precautions. It is clear that these precautions, essential for the safety of the civil population, must be carried out thoroughly and must be extended. I am glad to say that recruiting of personnel is being pressed on by local authorities, for a sound scheme of precautions depends on having the necessary men and women for all the services trained and instructed beforehand. Business firms who had begun their schemes for the protection of their work-people should complete them steadily. As I stated in the House on Monday, my Department is collecting from local authorities material on the lessons of the past weeks, and no time will be lost in considering it and reaching decisions. While emphasising the need for improvements and extensions of our plans, I am sure that the House would wish me to place on record my appreciation of the work carried out by the local authorities and their staffs, by the air-raid precautions personnel, and by all the men and women who came forward to assist in the last few weeks.

Mr. Morrison

Will the right hon. Gentleman bear in mind that a multitude of people volunteered their services last week, and that it will be essential to have some early decision given to the local authorities as to their future action, before the people collected last week are all dispersed so that it is impossible to get them together again?

Sir S. Hoare

Yes, Sir, I fully appreciate the urgency of the question that the hon. Gentleman has just asked me. I am now pressing the local authorities to give me the data on which one can base conclusions. As soon as I have had the data I will then reach conclusions, and take as early an opportunity as I can of announcing them to the House.