HC Deb 06 September 1939 vol 351 cc542-4
16. Miss Rathbone

asked the Home Secretary whether he is aware that the airraid warnings and all clear signals given Sunday and early morning on Monday were by many people not understood; and will he consider arranging for the verbal description of the signals given through the British Broadcasting Corporation to be supplemented by sample signals, so as to accustom the public to the difference?

Sir J. Anderson

I would refer the hon. Lady to the full statement which I made on this subject yesterday. As regards the second part of her question, I would only say that, while specimen signals have been given by the B.B.C. in peace-time, there would be obvious dangers in doing so in present circumstances.

Miss Rathbone

I thank the right hon. Gentleman for his reply. I assure him that I had not seen his answer of yesterday when I put the question down. May I ask him whether he is aware that quite a considerable number of people failed to be awakened by the air-raid signal this morning and the other day, in fact that some people, not very far from this House, slept through both warnings? Does not that indicate that the signals are not loud enough or long enough?

Sir J. Anderson

The arrangements provide for the supplementing of the initial warning by sirens and by police whistles, and I am prepared to extend these ancillary devices to any extent which appears to be necessary.

Mr. Boothby

Will the right hon. Gentleman bear in mind that these hooters appear to take some time to get into action and in the process there is a slight wail which is really very much like the air-raid signal? Can he not make some arrangements by which we may get a proper "All Clear" signal?

Mr. Thorne

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the warning signals this morning were exceedingly good—in my opinion?

Commander Oliver Locker-Lampson

Can we get the result of any such effort as that of this morning without waiting too long to know the result?

Sir Herbert Williams

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that in West London this morning there has been considerable confusion owing to the fact that the "All Clear" signal was given after the airraid warning?

Mr. Benjamin Smith

It was not an "All Clear" signal; it was a second warning. And I want to ask why that was so?

Sir J. Anderson

I shall certainly give due consideration to the suggestions which have reached me from every quarter. As regards the last point, it is a fact that there was a belated warning, and it is also the fact that this belated warning was misunderstood by personnel in the streets, who interpreted it by means of their whistles as the "All Clear." I shall try to eliminate that.

Sir Charles Cayzer

Can the right hon. Gentleman say why such a long delay took place before the "All Clear" was given this morning?