§ 34. Mr. Culverwellasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he is aware that the air-raid precautions messenger service youths employed by local authorities perform arduous and dangerous duties; and will he arrange for them to be issued with steel helmets and civilian service respirators?
§ The Joint Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Home Security (Mr. Mabane)I am aware of the valuable services rendered by the youths who act as Civil Defence messengers, and arrangements have been made to secure that members of the authorised establishment receive appropriate equipment as suggested by my hon. Friend. My right hon. 1383 Friend is examining the sufficiency of the establishment with a view to making increases in particular areas as dictated by experience.
§ Mr. CulverwellIs my hon. Friend aware that the Bristol Corporation, finding that their authorised establishment was not sufficient to cope with difficulties when communications broke down, recruited extra messengers who had to go out in a blitz without steel helmets or respirators? Would my hon. Friend hasten the decision about authorising an issue of helmets for these extra recruits?
§ Mr. MabaneCertainly, Sir.