§ 64. Brigadier-General Spearsasked the Home Secretary whether, while allowing gas masks, which are the property of the Government, to be taken from passengers going abroad, he will give instructions that gas masks which are the property of the persons carrying them shall not be taken from them?
§ Sir J. AndersonI am not aware that persons who have purchased respirators have been asked on leaving the country to surrender them, but if my hon. and gallant Friend can let me have particulars of any case in which this has happened I will have inquiry made.
§ Brigadier-General SpearsI can tell the Minister of a case in which a neutral, taking diplomatic bags from his legation, has been made to give up his gas mask.
§ Sir J. AndersonPerhaps my hon. and gallant Friend will be good enough to give me particulars of that case.
§ 70. Mr. Sorensenasked the Home Secretary whether he is aware of the anxiety among evacuated mothers who have returned home concerning the need of infant gas masks for their young children; and whether, in view of the large number of mothers with young children who insist on returning home, he will indicate an early date when a sufficient supply of these gas masks will be available?
§ Sir J. AndersonThe distribution of anti-gas protective devices for young children is constantly under review and where additional quantities are required to meet the needs of evacuated children who have returned home these will be supplied in due course.
§ Mr. SorensenMay I ask whether "in due course" means the next fortnight or so; in view of the anxiety expressed by many mothers?
§ Sir J. AndersonThe first allocations for the vulnerable areas assumed a certain evacuation of young children. A supplementary distribution is now taking place in respect of young children who are known to have returned.
§ Mr. SorensenWill the gas masks sent to reception areas and not used be brought back to the evacuation areas?
§ Sir J. AndersonThey were not sent to the reception areas.