HC Deb 21 May 1941 vol 371 cc1525-7
45. Mr. Ellis Smith

asked the Home Secretary whether his Department has tested the various types of fire-resisting material, paints and washes which are being advertised; and whether he will exercise all necessary powers, or will take further power, to prevent useless devices for fire-prevention being sold to the public?

The Joint Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Home Security (Mr. Mabane)

A British standards specification for fire-resisting treatment was issued last year. In Handbook No. 9, "Incendiary Bombs and Fire Precautions," and in the publication "Air Raids" the public were informed how to make a compound which satisfies the specification. A number of proprietary substances which comply with the specification have also been placed on sale. If householders in purchasing such materials will take the precaution of ascertaining that they are in accordance with the specification, there will be no need to complicate administration by taking additional powers in this matter.

46. Mr. Smith

asked the Home Secretary whether he is aware that advertisements are appearing in trade and industrial journals of proprietary liquids to be used for fighting incendiary bombs; whether he can give any guidance to the public as to which of these, if any, are of real use; and whether the purchase of such proprietary extinguishers by local authorities will rank for grant?

Mr. Mabane

Yes, Sir, but at the same time I should like to acknowledge the assistance rendered by a very large section of the Press in refusing to accept advertisements for those commodities of this nature which may be harmful or of doubtful efficacy as compared with water. A number of proprietary chemical liquids are being sold, some at high prices, for which it is claimed that they readily extinguish incendiary bombs. Many of these have been tested by the Research and Experiments Department of the Ministry of Home Security, but in no case has any been found which can be recommended in preference to water. There is no substantial difference in their favour in the time taken to extinguish a bomb. Apart from this, a far more important consideration is the necessity to be in a position to deal immediately with surrounding materials which are often set on fire by the bomb. For the dual purpose of extinguishing the bomb and the fire it causes, there is no liquid as cheap or as readily obtainable as water. Moreover, some of the liquids being sold are corrosive, some contain caustic substances dangerous to the eyes and others produce fumes and smoke which may be harmful, and in any case make fire-fighting difficult. In these circumstances expenditure incurred on any such liquids would not be recognised for purposes of grant.

Mr. Smith

What steps, if any, have been taken, and if no steps have been taken will the Minister see that steps are taken to give this information to the local authorities?

Mr. Mabane

I hope my reply will give publicity to the matter.

Mr. Leslie Boyce

Will the Minister see that the Ministry of Information give due publicity to his reply?

Mr. Mabane

I will draw attention to that.

Miss Eleanor Rathbone

Would it not be better to prohibit the use of these objectionable substances?