§ Mr. C. Wilsonasked the Home Secretary whether the Air-raid Precautions Department can state by what test, in their opinion, ordinary people can detect the presence of mustard gas or lewisite without having to breathe it?
§ Mr. LloydMustard gas and lewisite can be detected by visual observation or by the sense of smell, which might suffice to give warning without any harmful effect. Arrangements will, however, be made for the detection of poison gas as part of the air-raid precautions organisation and if members of the public were in danger of inhaling poisonous vapours every effort would be made to warn them of the presence of gas before they had to ascertain it for themselves.
§ Mr. C. Wilsonasked the Home Secretary what plans have been made by the Air-raid Precautions Department for the provision of gas-proof shelters for public use, equipped with filtration units and pumps?
§ Mr. LloydIt is proposed that, as far as possible, members of the public should remain indoors in a part of their home or place of work which has been adapted as a refuge in accordance with instructions which will be issued. The question of the provision of refuges for persons caught in the street when a raid is imminent is under consideration: but, while the equipment required in public refuges must depend on the nature of the premises employed for the purpose, it is considered that, if ordinary safeguards are employed, the installation of filtration plant will not be required.