§ 63. Mr. Tinkerasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he is aware that persons in dwelling-houses have been charged and fined for showing lights; that they have stated in evidence the material used for black-out purposes has been sold to them on the assurance that it fulfilled the regulations required for black-out; and will he take steps to prevent the public being imposed on?
§ The Joint Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Home Security (Mr. Mabane)At the request of my Department a specification for the obscuration value of curtain material was issued in 693 November last by the British Standards Institution for the guidance of manufacturers and purchasers. No guarantee can, however, be given that any material will ensure compliance with the regulations since this must also depend on the manner in which the material is used.
§ Mr. TinkerCannot the Home Office take some steps to protect the public? Poor people buy this stuff in the belief that it will fulfil the requirements of the law and then find that it does not.
§ Mr. MabaneI think the case in question was in the hon. Member's constituency, and there the offence depended upon the use to which the material had been put and not upon the material itself.
§ Sir H. WilliamsWill the hon. Gentleman have inquiries made as to what extent this stuff is a protection against bombardment and what is the purpose of the black-out during raids?
§ Mr. BevanWhy does not the Home Office look at the newspapers and see the advertisements there and advise the public against certain articles being sold? Is it not a fact that the Ministry is anxious to protect profit makers?
§ Mr. MabaneIt is not true to say that the Ministry is anxious to protect people who wish to make a profit out of false material. Every effort is made to secure that the public are correctly advised in this matter of material for black-out purposes.
§ Mr. BevanThat is not the point. It is no use sending out specifications. People should be warned.