HC Deb 09 November 1939 vol 353 cc393-4
24. Mr. Davidson

asked the Home Secretary the number of paid air-raid precautions workers in Glasgow who are engaged in other partial or full-time employment?

Sir J. Anderson

I am informed that there are about 100 such persons, but I have no details as to the extent to which they are engaged on other work and I am looking into the matter further.

31. Mr. Rhys Davies

asked the Home Secretary whether he is aware that some paid air-raid precautions workers are dismissed their posts immediately they fall sick and unable to attend to duties; and whether he will take steps to modify this regulation and thereby remove what is regarded as a grievance among these workers?

Sir J. Anderson

I have this matter under review at the present time and hope to announce appropriate conditions at a very early date.

Mr. Davies

Will the right hon. Gentleman bear in mind the anomalous position that an air-raid warden is not allowed to fall sick?

Sir J. Anderson

That is not an anomaly.

Mr. C. Brown

Is it not the case that a great many more will fall sick under the new regulation of a 12-hour shift?

35. Mr. Isaacs

asked the Home Secretary whether he is aware that in some Greater London areas the number of steel helmets and respirators available for airraid wardens is about one-third less than the number of wardens, with the result that these articles of equipment are in common use; and whether, in view of such unhygienic practice as well as the probability that in the case of air attack all the wardens would turn out for duty, he will take immediate steps to ensure that every warden has his own steel helmet and his own respirator?

Sir J. Anderson

The issues of steel helmets and civilian duty respirators to all authorities in the London Civil Defence Region are more than sufficient to provide one each for all wardens on the authorised establishment. The Government has never undertaken to provide equipment for reserve personnel in excess of the authorised establishment, and additional equipment for them cannot at present be issued.

Mr. Isaacs

If I supply the right hon. Gentleman with a list of such cases will he look into them?

Sir J. Anderson

Most certainly.

Sir Francis Fremantle

Is the right hon. Gentleman prepared to replace the steel hats by the improved bowler hat type which has recently been announced?