HC Deb 28 September 1939 vol 351 cc1468-70
37. Mr. Poole

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether his attention has been called to serious deficiencies in air-raid precautions equipment in the urban district of Aldridge, Staffordshire; and what steps he is taking to remedy these deficiencies?

The Secretary of State for the Home Department (Sir John Anderson)

Substantial supplies of equipment have been issued by the A.R.P. Department to this urban district, in common with all other areas of comparable vulnerability, and I am not aware of any serious deficiencies of any important item. Still further supplies will be sent in due course.

Mr. Poole

Is the right hon. Gentleman not aware that first-aid wardens in this area are still without civil respirators and many other things, and that deficiencies exist not only in this particular urban district but in every district under the control of the Staffordshire County Council? Is it not time that serious steps were taken to make the county council fulfil its obligation?

Sir J. Anderson

I took it that the hon. Member's question related to air- raid precautions equipment in the narrow sense of the term. The first-aid equipment is issued by the Ministry of Health to local authorities. My information is that substantial supplies have been issued to Staffordshire and have been distributed by the Staffordshire County Council throughout the district authorities within the county. If the hon. Member has any specific information I shall be glad if he will let me have it. I will look into it.

Mr. Poole

With all due respect to the Minister, I have given him a list of specific deficiencies. Does he not consider that iodine in a first-aid equipment should be available, and that if there is a serious deficiency it ought to be remedied?

Sir J. Anderson

I have indicated that that is really a matter for the Ministry of Health.

Sir Joseph Lamb

Is it not a fact that the supplies which have been given to the Staffordshire County Council have been delivered in the first place to the most vulnerable areas?

Sir J. Anderson

I should imagine that is so.

38. Mr. Poole

asked the Home Secretary whether the Staffordshire County Council have received all necessary equipment for air-raid precautions purposes to enable them to supply areas under their control; and why distribution has not taken place, or when will adequate supplies be forthcoming?

Sir J. Anderson

The equipment issued by my Department to the Staffordshire County Council is that required for county services. In accordance with a general arrangement made by the county council, the equipment for the services provided by the county districts is issued by my Department direct to those districts. The amount so issued is the proper proportion of the available supplies, having regard to the needs of other local authorities in the country.

Mr. Poole

Has the right hon. Gentleman received any special report from the regional commissioner with regard to Staffordshire, and what is the nature of that report? Does it not call for some serious action on his part?

Sir J. Anderson

The hon. Member may be sure that due consideration is given to any report received from the regional commissioner, but I do not think his supplementary question arises out of the question on the Paper.