§ 44. Mr. Emmottasked the Home Secretary whether he is aware that local authorities are hampered in their work by deficiencies in equipment used for air-raid precautions; that, in particular, in the district of the Urban District Council of Coulsdon and Purley there is a considerable deficiency in the supply of steel helmets, civilian duty, and general service respirators; and when local authorities may expect to receive the remainder of the equipment that they require?
§ Sir J. AndersonIssues of equipment to local authorities are continuing steadily in accordance with a carefully worked out scheme of priority related to estimated vulnerability, but it will be appreciated that the increasing needs of the Fighting Services for some items of equipment limit for the time being the supplies available for local authorities. The urban district to which my hon. Friend refers has received to date 95 per cent. of its authorised requirements of steel helmets, 75 per cent. of civilian duty respirators and 80 per cent. of service respirators.