§ 16. Mr. Woodburnasked the Home Secretary whether he is aware that the air-raid warden service is now an efficient and disciplined body and that the head wardens have discharged responsible duties with great credit, but that great dissatisfaction exists; that this responsibiliy is not recognised by a special grade of pay as is the case in the fire and first-aid services; and whether he can arrange for satisfaction of this claim?
§ Mr. H. MorrisonI would refer my hon. Friend to the reply given to the hon. Member for West Lewisham (Mr. Brooke) yesterday.
§ Mr. WoodburnWill the right hon. Gentleman look into this matter again, because there is great dissatisfaction existing in this very important service and it should not be treated in a different way from other services? These people accept great responsibility in the case of serious damage and ought to be remunerated on the same scale as other services.
§ Mr. MorrisonI will look into the matter.
§ 18. Mr. J. P. Morrisasked the Home Secretary whether he is aware of the deficiency of steel helmets, civilian duty respirators, haversacks, protective clothing and gum-boots in an air-raid precautions division of which he has been informed which is causing dissatisfaction and resentment among the wardens; and will he take steps to see that this air-raid precautions equipment is issued at once?
§ Mr. MorrisonI have made inquiries about the supply of equipment in the area to which the hon. Member refers. The full authorised issue of equipment has been made to the borough of which it forms part: but since the recruitment of part-time wardens exceeds the authorised establishment it is not possible to make an individual issue to the whole of the personnel, though the shortage in this particular area is not great. Further supplies of equipment will be made as soon as they are available.