HC Deb 13 December 1938 vol 342 cc1826-7W
Mr. Sorensen

asked the Minister of Health whether the Board of Control has given any guidance to mental hospital committees respecting a desirable standard of air-raid precautions; whether it is compiling and co-ordinating information respecting air-raid precautions plans, and the expenditure involved by various mental hospital committees; what Government grants are available for this purpose; and whether he has secured an estimate of the approximate total expenditure involved if all public mental hospitals are to reach a good level of air-raid precautions efficiency?

Mr. Bernays

My right hon. Friend hopes to issue very shortly a memorandum on the air-raid precautions which should be carried out at hospitals, including mental hospitals, in the more vulnerable areas. Information regarding precautions actually being carried out has been utilised in the preparation of the memorandum. As regards the cost the Government are prepared to assist in approved cases towards expenditure on precautions at hospitals, including mental hospitals, which are included in the emergency hospital schemes.

No estimate of the total expenditure involved in protecting mental hospitals can be given at present as the appropriate measures vary widely according to local conditions.