§ Mr. Pilkingtonasked the Lord Privy Seal whether, in view of the uncertainty as to the different spheres of responsibility for air-raid precautions work, he will lay down exactly what matters should come under the local police and what under the local authorities?
§ Sir J. AndersonThis matter is already engaging my attention and the various memoranda now in course of preparation should remove any ambiguity about the respective duties of local authorities and of the police.
§ Mr. Simmondsasked the Lord Privy Seal whether he is aware that large numbers of industrialists are awaiting information concerning the financial co-operation which the Government is willing to give before committing themselves to air-raid precautions schemes; and whether he can make any announcement that will obviate this delay?
§ Sir J. AndersonI am not at present in a position to add to the answer given to
2900Wparticulars as to the prices of home and imported produce, respectively, are collected only in the case of beef and mutton, for which the returns distinguish the prices of British meat from those of chilled or frozen meat.
my hon. Friend by the Chancellor of the Exchequer on the i8th March last.
§ Sir P. Harrisasked the Lord Privy Seal whether he can do anything to expedite delivery of fire-fighting apparatus urgently required by auxiliary fire services; and whether he will endeavour to secure priority for some of these implements vital to the safety of our great cities?
§ Sir J. AndersonThe steps which have been taken to build up the large-scale manufacture of fire-fighting appliances necessarily take some time to mature, but I am advised that deliveries of trailer pumps are now being effected at the rate of about 130 a week and considerably larger deliveries are expected early next year. If in the second part of the question the hon. Member has in mind the desirability of preventing competitive orders by different Departments for such appliances, I may say that steps have already been taken to avoid such competition.
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§ Mr. J. Griffithsasked the First Commission of Works what arrangements are being made to provide adequate protection against air-raids to workmen employed in armament factories owned by the Government; and whether, in preparing the plans of new Government factories, provision is being made for underground shelters?
§ Sir P. SassoonI can only answer as regards certain munition factories which are being built by my Department for the War Office. In these cases I act on instructions received from that Department, who are including measures of a specialised protective character suitable for munition factories. Certain portions of the refuge accommodation will be underground.