HC Deb 24 February 1939 vol 344 cc780-2W
Mr. C. Wilson

asked the Lord Privy Seal whether the handbook, "The Protection of your Home against Air Raids," referred to in page 24 of the second edition of Handbook No. 1, has been published; and, if so, why there is no copy in the Library?

Sir J. Anderson

The handbook in question has been published, and a free distribution to householders has been made. Hon. Members should have received copies as part of that issue. I am, however, arranging for copies to be placed in the Library.

Mr. C. Wilson

asked the Lord Privy Seal why, in handbook No. 2, Appendix A, the number of permissible occupants in gas-protected rooms, depends upon the area of the room without any reference to its height?

Sir J. Anderson

The figures to which the hon. Member refers were intended to apply to rooms of normal height which is, I am advised, from 8 to 10 feet. This is made clear on page 9 of the Handbook "The Protection of your Home against Air Raids," published last year, a free distribution of which was made to the general public.

Mr. C. Wilson

asked the Lord Privy Seal why, seeing that there would be serious risk of very rapid suffocation in any smaller shelter than those referred to in Air-raid Precautions Department Circular No. 28/1939, these shelters only allow for about eight square feet per occupant, whilst in handbook No. 2, Appendix A, the minimum allowance is 20 square feet per occupant?

Sir J. Anderson

I am aware that the amount of space per occupant in the steel householders' shelters which are to be supplied by the Government is less than that which has previously been recommended in general advice issued by the A.R.P. Department regarding unventilated shelters. The householders' shelters will not, however, be unventilated, as the entrances will not be entirely closed in.

I am not sure from what publication the hon. Member derives the figure of 20 square feet which he quotes: but it does generally correspond with a recommendation that there should be 75 square feet of surface, counting floor, walls and roof, per occupant. That recommendation which was related not only to gas-tight shelters but to prolonged occupancy, is at present being reviewed in the light of practical tests which are now being carried out.

Mr. C. Wilson

asked the Lord Privy Seal, whether he is aware that the titles of air-raid precautions handbooks Nos. 1, 2, and 3 mentioned in the first edition of handbook No. 2 are totally different to the titles mentioned in the second edition; and whether, in order to prevent confusion, he can issue a list showing which handbooks, memoranda, circulars, etc., are now in operation and which are superseded?

Sir J. Anderson

The material contained in the first edition of Handbook No. 2 was subsequently made the subject of a number of separate publications, which necessitated the renumbering of the handbooks. As regards the second part of the Question, an up-to-date list of handbooks and memoranda, of which I am sending the hon. Member a copy, is contained in every issue of these publications. So far as circulars are concerned, I will, as indicated in a reply to a Question by the hon. Member for Normanton (Mr. T. Smith) on 8th December last, consider at an appropriate time the question of re-issue in a consolidated form.

Mr. Duncan

asked the Lord Privy Seal whether he can now say, as a result of the survey by the local authorities in London, how many steel shelters can be usefully erected in the London area?

Sir J. Anderson

The information so far given to me by the local authorities is not sufficiently complete to enable me to supply this information.

Mr. Duncan

asked the Lord Privy Seal, whether he has yet circulated, for the guidance of local authorities, a draft contract of service for air-raid wardens; and, if so, what are its terms?

Sir J. Anderson

A form of conditions of service for volunteers accepted for whole-time or part-time service in war in the Air Raid Precautions Services was circulated to local authorities on the 4th of this month, together with a form of undertaking to be signed by the volunteer. The terms of the undertaking are as follows: I have read and accept the above conditions of service for volunteers for the Air Raid Precautions Service, and I undertake to serve with the local authority for Part-time whole-time Service when called upon in an emergency. Signature Date

Mr. Trevor Cox

asked the Lord Privy Seal what progress is being made in north-east Cheshire in regard to the provision of air-raid trenches and shelters?

Sir J. Anderson

I understand that the County Authorities are well advanced in their survey of basements for public shelters. The reconstruction of trenches dug during the emergency is in hand.

Mr. Duncan

asked the Lord Privy Seal whether he has yet sent his promised circular regarding the strengthening of basements to the local authorities concerned; and, if not, when he proposes to do so?

Sir J. Anderson

A circular dealing fully with this matter will be sent to the local authorities concerned in the early part of next month.