§ 61. Mr. Edmund Harveyasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether his attention has been called to an announcement that irritant gas was to be released in a North Midland town for a fortnight, beginning on 27th September, without further warnings or notices being given; and whether he will issue directions with regard to the conditions under which any gas tests which may be decided upon should be conducted?
§ The Joint Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Home Security (Mr. Mabane)Yes, Sir. Such tear gas exercises are an important element of the process of educating the public in the use of their respirators. As regards the second part of the Question, scheme-making local authorities know that they cannot release tear gas in public without prior consultation with the Regional Commissioner's officers, who have already been fully informed of the conditions under which these exercises should be conducted. In addition, detailed instructions will be made available to local authorities in a pamphlet to be issued shortly.
§ Mr. HarveyIs not the exercise of tear gas experiments without warning or notice likely to cause serious hardship to invalids, children and animals?
§ Mr. MabaneParticular care was taken in this case to secure that there was no hardship to old people or children.
§ Captain StricklandIn view of the fact that Hitler will give no notice when he is going to use irritant gas, is it not wise to 843 hold these tests from time to time in order to compel people to carry their gas masks with them ready for emergency?