§ 22. Mr. Manningham-Bullerasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether, in view of the opinion expressed by the local authority and the other means of communication available, he will give instructions that air raid warning sirens shall not be used by the N.F.S. in the town of Towcester, for the purpose of calling out retained firemen.
§ Mr. EdeIt is not proposed to use the warning, but the "raiders passed" signal. I am not able to accept the suggestion that the means of communication already available are adequate to secure prompt attendance of the firemen when they are required, but before the siren is brought into use steps will be taken by the fire force commander to ensure that the public are aware of the significance of the signal.
§ Mr. Manningham-BullerWhile thanking the right hon. Gentleman for that reply, may I ask him whether he is aware that all these retained firemen are on the telephone, that most of them work, in the day-time, where the siren cannot be heard, in a factory where they are normally summoned by telephone, and is not this another stupid and senseless example of the domination of democracy by bureaucracy?
§ Mr. EdeWith regard to the first part of the supplementary question, it is no use relying on the telephone when there is no one at the other end to answer it. Neither would it be reasonable to expect a man's wife, receiving the telephone message, to leave her household duties to proceed to the spot where she thought her husband might be in an effort to find him. I will have the question inquired into as to whether the factory at which these men are employed is within earshot of the warning, because my information is contrary to that of the hon. Member, but the point is material. I hope the answer I have given will show that this matter has received the most careful consideration, and is one of the examples of the way in which democracy and bureaucracy can helpfully co-operate.
§ Mr. Manningham-BullerIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that the practice of summoning them by telephone worked absolutely satisfactorily in pre-war years, and under other Governments?
§ Mr. EdeI am not aware of that. I have indicated that I will inquire into the detailed information which the hon. Gentleman has placed at my disposal.