§ 82. Mr. Higgsasked the Minister of Health whether he is aware that midwives in Birmingham cannot obtain service masks and helmets although the committee is willing to buy them; and, as they have to leave their homes during 1454 air raids to attend to women, will he take steps to see that such provision should immediately be made?
§ The Minister of Health (Mr. Malcolm MacDonald)I am aware that steel helmets are not available in the open market and that special respirators are difficult to obtain. I have, however, arranged with my right hon. Friend the Minister of Home Security for the issue of helmets and civilian duty respirators for the use of midwives from Government sources, and a circular to local authorities on this matter will be sent out within the course of the next few days.