§ Mr. MANDERasked the Home Secretary whether, in accordance with the 2660W Home Office circular on air raid precautions of 9th July, 1935, information has yet been published as to the means by which occupiers of premises can make them gas-proof; and whether these are based on the report to the Red Cross of the international committee of experts for the protection of the civilian population against chemical warfare, held in Rome in 1929, which proposes that on warning of an air raid being given the whole population, except those engaged in essential services, shall descend into cellars provided with ventilators supplied with gas filters?
§ Mr. LLOYDYes, Sir. Instructions in gas-proofing are contained in Air Raid Precautions Handbook No. 1 on "Personal Protection against Gas," and the gas-proofing of rooms in private houses will be further dealt with in the handbook in course of preparation for householders. As it is practicable to render rooms gas-proof and as everyone in areas exposed to attack will be supplied with a respirator, it is not proposed to recommend that shelter-rooms in private houses should be fitted with air filtration units.