§ Mr. Gallacherasked the Lord Privy Seal whether he is aware that a number of air-raid wardens in Fifeshire are demanding from housewives, who are being canvassed about gas-masks, the ages of all persons in the household; whether instructions to seek this information have been given to the wardens; and will he take steps to stop this practice?
§ Sir J. AndersonI understand that in Fife, under arrangements made by the county council, wardens seek certain information from householders, including the age of each person in the household, and that this information is designed to ensure that wardens may be aware of the kind of assistance, possibly of a special nature, that the occupants of a house might need if an emergency arose. There is no obligation on the householder to supply this information. In these circumstances I am reluctant to intervene in what is primarily a local matter.
§ Mr. C. Wilsonasked the Lord Privy Seal whether he can state, in the case of a steel shelter for the two-storeyed terraced house or cottage-type of modern house, the number of sections for each unit; the space occupied before erection; and how the sections are fastened together?
§ Sir J. AndersonThe steel shelter which is being provided for houses of this type consists of 14 sheets of corrugated steel, six steel bars and a bag containing the accessory parts—bolts, nuts, etc. The various sections can be packed, before erection, into a space approximately 7 feet by 3 feet by 3 feet. The sections are fastened together by means of bolts and nuts. The manufacturers estimate that a shelter can be erected by two persons of average competence in about 15 minutes. The time taken for digging the hole and covering the shelter depends upon the nature of the soil.
§ Mr. McEnteeasked the Lord Privy Seal whether loud-speaker equipment will be installed at railway stations and such other places as are necessary to facilitate the evacuation of children and others in war time?
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§ Sir J. AndersonThe hon. Member may rest assured that in the event of an emergency all necessary arrangements would be made at the entraining stations and other places to facilitate the movement of children and other persons to be evacuated from vulnerable areas.
§ Mr. Banfieldasked the Lord Privy Seal whether he will define the exact nature of the air-raid precautions work for which, in war time, men are to be paid 60s. a week and women 40s.?
§ Sir J. AndersonI would refer the hon. Member to the reply given on Monday last to a similar question by the hon. Member for Stourbridge (Mr. R. Morgan).
§ Mr. McEnteeasked the Lord Privy Seal whether persons desiring to purchase a steel shelter can do so by placing an order with the local authority, and can payment be made over an extended period; will his Department consider for approval types of shelters in steel or in other material, or will local authorities be given such power of approval; and will persons desiring to purchase be given equal facilities for purchase of all such approved shelters?
§ Sir J. AndersonIt is intended that, when a substantial delivery of the special steel shelters has been completed to householders who are eligible to receive them without payment, other householders in the areas most exposed to attack shall be given an opportunity to purchase these shelters through the local authorities. A public announcement will be made when shelters are available for sale in this way, and the announcement will give the price and the procedure for purchase. These shelters were specially designed and are produced at a special price for the Government. I do not at the moment contemplate that alternative types should be produced on Government account for sale.
Mr. David Adamsasked the Lord Privy Seal whether, as the risks to which paid air-raid precautions volunteers and auxiliary firemen, both men and women, are exposed will be identical, he will state the reason for the differentiation of pay in favour of men receiving one-third more than women?
§ Sir J. AndersonI would refer the hon. Member to the reply given on Monday1468W last to a similar question by my hon. Friend the Member for Stourbridge (Mr. R. Morgan).
Mr. V. Adamsasked the Lord Privy Seal what is his policy in respect to the construction of deep underground railways and deep motor car parks in provincial evacuation areas?
§ Sir J. AndersonI would refer the hon. Member to the statement which I made in the course of the Debate yesterday.
§ Sir F. Sandersonasked the Lord Privy Seal whether air-raid precautions wardens are in all cases called upon to pay the cost of telephone and postal communications and other incidental expenses necessitated by their office; and, in view of the fact that many wardens are persons of very limited means, will he take such steps as are necessary to reimburse to wardens all their out-of-pocket expenses or make an appropriate grant in respect thereof?
§ Sir J. AndersonOn the general question I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply given to my hon. Friend the Member for Huddersfield (Mr. Mabane) on 24th November. I am prepared to recognise for grant purposes the reimbursement by a local authority of reasonable expenses on telephone and postal expenses incurred by wardens by reason of their public duties.
Mr. Adamsonasked the Lord Privy Seal whether, in view of the delay in issuing gas masks to those employed in the Mercantile Marine, he will have immediate inquiries made into the matter?
§ Sir J. AndersonThis matter has been the subject of consultation between my Department, the Board of Trade, and the Shipowners' Associations, and arrangements have been made for the supply to British ships trading with this country of respirators for their crews. They will be specially packed ready for assembly if occasion arises. Supply has begun and will continue progressively, on demand from the individual shipowners, as ships come into our ports.
§ Mr. Thorneasked the Lord Privy Seal whether all persons required for deep air-raid shelters work will be taken from the local Employment Exchanges?
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§ Sir J. AndersonOn the question of deep shelters I would refer the hon. Member to the statement which I made in the course of the Debate yesterday; but the hon. Member may rest assured that as regards all works undertaken for purposes of Civil Defence local authorities will be urged, whenever appropriate, to obtain necessary labour through the Employment Exchanges.
§ Mr. G. Straussasked the Lord Privy Seal whether his attention has been called to a public statement by Councillor Tiptoft, chairman of the Birmingham air-raid precautions committee, to the effect that the Home Office have informed him that the construction of bomb-proof shelters of any kind is not now considered desirable; and whether he will make an immediate pronouncement upon the policy of the Government in this matter?
§ Sir J. AndersonI think the hon. Member has in mind a suggestion, put forward by the Birmingham authorities, that an underground sewer, which will in any event be required for sewerage purposes some years hence, should be constructed immediately in order that in the interval it might, with certain modifications, be available for use as an air-raid shelter. This proposal was discussed with representatives of the city, who were informed that it appeared to present a number of undesirable features and that pending a general decision as to deep underground shelter propositions its further consideration must be deferred. On the general question of deep underground shelters I would refer the hon. Member to the statement which I made in the course of the Debate yesterday.
§ Mr. Crowderasked the Lord Privy Seal what is the relative position of tenants in buildings in which the only possible accommodation for air-raid shelters to be constructed is in the basement, which is occupied by a different firm from the tenants occupying the upper storeys of the building; and will he take steps to ensure that the upper tenants obtain the right to make use of a shelter constructed in the basement, either by payment of a consideration or otherwise?
§ Sir J. AndersonMy hon. Friend may rest assured that the point he raises is being borne in mind.
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§ Mr. Kirbyasked the Lord Privy Seal how far the work of packing civilian gas masks in cartons in the City of Liverpool has progressed; whether he considers such progress satisfactory; whether ample storage accommodation has been acquired; and when it is expected that the packing in Liverpool will be completed?
§ Sir J. AndersonI understand that over three-quarters of the civilian respirators have now been packed in their containers and that packing will be completed by 8th March. Excellent progress has been made during the last fortnight. As soon as packing is completed distribution to the general public will begin. The question of storage accommodation does not therefore arise.
§ Mr. Wakefieldasked the Lord Privy Seal when he expects to be in a position to know the results of the full-scale tests now being undertaken in connection with the points of difference which have arisen as a result of the recommendations made by the Institution of Structural Engineers upon air-raid precautions?
§ Sir J. AndersonAs I have already stated, the experimental work involved is actually in progress. Some results have been obtained and will be made public as soon as confirmed. It is impossible to give a definite date, but I can assure my hon. Friend that every effort is being made to expedite the work.
§ Mr. Lunnasked the Lord Privy Seal whether he is now in a position to say on what basis and conditions a voluntary fireman in training for air-raid precautions is paid compensation in the event of him being killed or injured whilst in training?
§ Mr. Simmondsasked the Lord Privy Seal whether he can make a statement regarding the compensation to be paid to members of the Civil Defence Services who may be killed or injured during peace-time training?
§ Sir J. AndersonI am now able to announce that it has been decided that the existing compensation arrangements made by local authorities by way of insurance policies shall, as and when the present policies expire, be replaced by a Government scheme. The broad effect of this will be that compensation will be paid by the Government to members of the Civil Defence Services in respect of 1471W death or disablement directly attributable to injury sustained by volunteers in the course of peace-time training. The terms in the case of auxiliary firemen reflect the higher benefits which have hitherto been available under the policies relating to that service. The particulars are as follows:
A.—Death.
- (1) Members of A.R.P. Services (other than Auxiliary Firemen).
- (a) £600 to widow with dependent child or children.
- (b) £400 to widow without dependent child.
- (c) £3000 in respect of motherless dependent child or children.
- (d) Compensation up to a maximum of £300 to other relatives wholly or mainly dependent, if no payment has been made under (a), (b) or (c) above.
- (2) Auxiliary Firemen.
- (a) £1,000 to widow with dependent child or children.
- (b) £700 to widow without dependent child.
- (c) £500 in respect of motherless dependent child or children.
- (d)Compensation up to a maximum of £500 to other relatives wholly or mainly, dependent, if no payment has been made under (a), (b) or (c) above.
B.—Total disablement.£3 a week for 26 weeks, and thereafter 30s. a week for a single man, 35s. a week for a man and wife, 40s. a week for a man and wife and one dependent child; with an additional allowance of 3s. a week for each additional dependent child up to a maximum total payment of 49s. a week.C.—Permanent partial disablement.Rates proportionate to those payable in case of total disablement, the proportion being based on the degree of physical incapacity.D.—Medical Expenses.Repayment of reasonable medical expenses incurred during the initial period of disability.In the case of disabled women, compensation will be payable at two-thirds of the rates quoted.Auxiliary firemen already covered by an insurance policy will have the option either of retaining the benefits laid down in each policy or of accepting the alternative benefits now to be provided.
§ Sir L. Smithasked the Lord Privy Seal whether he can state that reasonable compensation will be paid by the State, in the case of any worker who may be killed or injured by enemy aircraft, when engaged in or about any industrial establishment; and whether he will make 1472W it quite plain that no liability for compensation under any circumstances will rest on the employer as a result of such air raid?
§ Sir J. AndersonIn reply to the first part of the question, I would refer my hon. Friend to the statement made by my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer on 31st January. In reply to the second half, the position of the individual employer is under consideration by the Government and it is not possible to make any statement at present.
Mr. Alexanderasked the Lord Privy Seal what is the average weight of steel actually used in the air-raid shelters now being supplied to households in certain areas?
§ Sir J. AndersonApproximately 8 cwt.
§ Colonel Burtonasked the Lord Privy Seal whether he can state the number and character of fire-fighting appliances which have been requisitioned for the area of South-West Suffolk; and how far these have been satisfied?
§ Sir J. AndersonNo allocation of emergency pumping units can be made to a local authority until that authority has submitted an air-raid fire precautions scheme. Three local authorities in this area have submitted such schemes, and it is estimated that the number of emergency pumping units required for the purpose of these schemes is eight. Four light trailer pumps have already been delivered to these local authorities.
§ Colonel Burtonasked the Lord Privy Seal whether he can state the number and character of fire-fighting appliances which have been requisitioned for the village and district of Wickford; and the extent to which they have been satisfied?
§ Sir J. AndersonFour light trailer pump units have been allocated for use in connection with the air-raid fire precautions scheme for the urban district of Billericay, which includes the village and district of Wickford. I expect that these will be delivered within the next two or three weeks.
§ Mr. Simmondsasked the Lord Privy Seal whether he will state the number of local authorities whom he has authorised to construct bomb-proof control posts?
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§ Sir J. AndersonNo bomb-proof control posts have been authorised, but the provision of blast and splinter-proof posts is engaging the consideration of many authorities, and I hope to issue a circular on this matter to scheme-making authorities in the course of the next few days.