HC Deb 28 January 1943 vol 386 c603
36. Flight-Lieut. Challen

asked the Home Secretary whether, in view of the fact that fire guards may be called upon to wear respirators in the course of their duty and that the ordinary civilian respirator is inadequate for this purpose, he will issue to them civilian duty respirators?

Mr. H. Morrison

I cannot accept my hon. and gallant Friend's statement that civilian respirators are inadequate for this purpose, and in any event the provision of very large numbers of additional civilian duty respirators would not be justifiable in present circumstances.

Flight-Lieut. Challen

Does not the Minister consider there is a likelihood that fire guards may have to wear their respirators in the course of their duty, and is he aware that the civilian respirator is riot designed for such purpose, but is designed simply for wearing while people go to a refuge?

Mr. Morrison

The principal difficulty which has been drawn to my attention is the possibility of the respirator coming off the head, but my hon. and gallant Friend will be comforted by the knowledge that in the next training bulletin due shortly instructions are being given about a method of tying the civilian respirator so that it will not slip off. It would be quite impracticable, and I think a needless utilisation of material and labour, for us to manufacture the very large number of special respirators that would be required.