Mr. R. Duckworthasked the Home Secretary whether he will state the age-limits of the men who are being invited to join the air-raid precautions volunteer service; whether these embrace persons of military age; whether, in the event of war, these persons would be required for military service; and what steps he is taking to avoid withdrawing from potential combatant service large numbers of suitable soldiers?
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§ Sir S. HoareWith the exception of the auxiliary fire service, for which men between 25 and 50 are required, the minimum age for men for the volunteer air-raid precautions services is 30, apart from some numerically unimportant exceptions. Reservists of the Fighting Services and members of the Territorial Army or Auxiliary Air Force are excluded. The majority of the men volunteers are required as air-raid wardens, for which service men considerably older than 30 are preferred. With regard to the last part of the question I do not think that any further steps are at present necessary.
§ Mr. Maxwellasked the Home Secretary on what date he requested local authorities to undertake a survey of available blast-proof and splinter-proof shelters?
§ Mr. LloydThe circular of the 28th March recommended local authorities generally to undertake surveys but in many areas a good deal of surveying work was already in progress.