HC Deb 07 December 1939 vol 355 cc789-90
22. Mr. White

asked the Home Secretary what provision is being made for the supply of gas-masks to children who require larger helmets as they grow bigger?

Sir J. Anderson

Local authorities have been instructed to make periodical surveys to ascertain how many infants have become too big for their baby helmets, and they are supplied, from time to time, with additional quantities of children's respirators to issue in exchange for baby helmets. The needs of children supplied with either a children's or a small civilian respirator who outgrow the type with which they have been fitted will be met as the need arises by the substitution of a respirator of the appropriate size.

Mr. Rhys Davies

Is it not possible to invent an expanding respirator?

Sir J. Anderson

It may be, but we have not yet succeeded.

The following question stood upon the Order Paper in the name of Mr. THORNE:

33. To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he is aware that there are 5,000 young children living in West Ham who have not been supplied with their gas-masks; why they have not been sent down; and if any local authority has been supplied with more gas-masks for young children than they wanted?

Mr. Thorne

I do not intend putting this question, but as I have had a long letter from the Home Secretary about it, may I ask whether—

Mr. Speaker

Is the hon. Member putting Question 33 or a supplementary to a previous question?

Mr. Thorne

I only wanted to ask a question about the text of the letter which the Home Secretary sent to me on this matter.