HC Deb 14 December 1939 vol 355 cc1280-1W
Mr. Windsor

asked the Home Secretary whether his attention has been drawn to the confusion and uncertainty in the Hull district regarding air-raid warnings; whether he is aware that the knowledge that air-raid precautions bodies have received the first light warning soon becomes public thus creating genera] apprehension, even in the absence of sound warnings which are not given until the appearance of the second signal light; and whether he will take steps to ensure that, whatever signal lights are received, the siren system will be so utilised as to result in the minimum of public anxiety?

Sir J. Anderson

In the Hull area, as elsewhere throughout the country, the public warning sirens are sounded when an air-raid warning message is received originating from the Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Fighter Command. The preliminary caution message should not be made public. In very many cases this message is not followed by the air-raid warning message, but is cancelled. My right hon. Friend is about to remind all local air-raid precautions authorities of the need of preserving the confidential character of the preliminary caution message.