HC Deb 09 February 1939 vol 343 cc1141-5W
Mr. Lewis

asked the Lord Privy Seal how soon residents in the borough of St. Pancras are likely to be supplied with suitable containers in which to keep their gas masks?

Sir J. Anderson

Supplies have been delivered this week.

Colonel Ropner

asked the Lord Privy Seal whether all arrangements for air-raid precautions are on a basis dependent on existing population; and, if so, what provision is being made now for a large increase in the number of the population in those areas scheduled as receiving areas during an emergency?

Sir J. Anderson

In estimating the requirements of the various local authorities, the fact that the population in reception areas may be increased as a result of evacuation schemes has not been overlooked. In framing the estimates regard was necessarily paid, not only to population, but to the degree of risk of attack and to the extent and character of the area.

Mr. Silverman

asked the Lord Privy Seal what is the minimum number of full-time or part-time auxiliary firemen required in the city of Liverpool; how many have been enrolled; how many have completed their training; and what action he proposes to take, in view of the refusal of the Liverpool City Council on the ground of economy, to carry out the proposals necessary to effectuate the training required?

Sir J. Anderson

I am informed that the estimated total number of auxiliary firemen required for the city of Liverpool is 10,000, and the number enrolled is 1,125, of whom 318 have completed their training. As regards the last part of the question, I understand that a proposal for the augmentation of the fire brigade establishment to assist with the training of auxiliary firemen is due to come up shortly for further consideration by the appropriate committee of the local authority, and I hope that suitable provision will then be made.

Mr. Day

asked the Lord Privy Seal whether, in view of the difficulties experienced by Metropolitan borough councils during the crisis in securing the necessary accommodation for the purpose of fitting and distributing gas masks, he will consider introducing legislation to enable such councils to make use of schools in any future similar emergency?

Sir J. Anderson

I am informed that the London County Council are prepared to permit schools under their control to be used for the fitting and distribution of gas masks should the necessity arise. Legislation for the purpose is not therefore required.

Mr, Day

asked the Lord Privy Seal whether, in view of the shortage of small-size gas masks during the crisis experienced by Metropolitan boroughs in genera], and Southwark in particular, he will give particulars of the manner in which arrangements have been made for the immediate supply of small face-pieces in the event of any future emergency; in what manner precautions have been taken to provide on any future occasion an equal number of face-pieces for the purpose of assembling into them the respirator components, including filter containers; and will he also give particulars of whether it is his Department's intention in future to supply cardboard containers for use as receptacles for respirators?

Sir J. Anderson

Contracts for the supply of further quantities of small size face-pieces have been placed and supplies to meet deficiencies notified by local authorities are being made. Face-pieces and niters, and also the component rubber bands and inlet valves, which make up the complete respirator, are being supplied together. The answer to the last part of the question is in the affirmative.

Mr, T. Smith

asked the Lord Privy Seal whether any particular type of stretcher has been approved and given the official description of Home Office airraid precautions stretcher; whether he is aware that a Birmingham firm are advertising this stretcher at prices five or six times higher than the cost of production and that, although the firm offer a 50 per cent. reduction, the price is still exorbitant; and whether it is proposed to take any steps to prevent the making of undue profits out of a national emergency?

Sir J. Anderson

A rigid type of stretcher has been designed by His Majesty's Office of Works, in consultation with the Ministry of Health and the Air-Raid Precautions Department, for issue to local authorities, and I understand that certain firms are offering stretchers of this type for sale generally. I understand that all requirements of Government Departments for issue to local authorities have hitherto been met at a satisfactory price. I have received no complaint as to the prices charged to the public, but if the hon. Member will be good enough to let me have the information on which his question is based, I shall be glad to look into the matter.

Mr. V. Adams

asked the Lord Privy Seal whether he is aware that the provision of underground railways in many evacuation areas would promote employment and furnish shelter from air attack; and whether he is prepared to offer financial assistance to any local authorities which may be willing to pursue such development?

Sir J. Anderson

The part which underground railways could and could not play as air-raid shelters can hardly be discussed within the limits of a question and answer; with regard to the second part of the question, I would refer my hon. Friend to the answer which I gave to a question by the hon. Member for Duddeston (Mr. Simmonds) on 2nd February.

Mr. Simmonds

asked the Lord Privy Seal whether any local authority has yet completed the permanent lining of the trenches dug during the emergency of September, 1938?

Sir J. Anderson

A circular was sent by my Department to all local authorities concerned on the 20th January last, asking how far this work had progressed; but replies have not yet been received from all areas.

Mr. Simmonds

asked the Lord Privy Seal when he has arranged to commence test warnings of air raids, so that the public shall be conversant with the method locally employed?

Sir J. Anderson

The responsibility for making adequate tests of the sirens to be used for giving public warning of air raids rests upon the local authorities. I know that a number of tests have already been carried out, and I have no reason to think that authorities are not fully alive to the importance of this matter.

Mr. Price

asked the Lord Privy Seal whether he is aware that, owing to a recent circular from his Department, large numbers of persons who have qualified as air-raid wardens in rural areas will not receive equipment in an emergency and will become redundant; and whether they are consequently to be regarded as being no longer wanted in those areas and, if so, are they likely to be wanted in other areas?

Sir J. Anderson

I should be sorry if the figures of personnel given to local authorities have given rise to any feeling among individual volunteers that they are no longer needed. Men and women trained as wardens are wanted beyond the precise numbers laid down, as a reserve to take the places of others temporarily not available and when doing so will use the equipment provided. The duties of wardens are such that it would be difficult for them to serve as wardens away from their own areas, but there may be other duties of national importance which they could undertake.

Mr. White

asked the Lord Privy Seal whether, in connection with the plans for evacuation of population in time of war, the necessary arrangements for food supply have been made?

Sir J. Anderson

The answer is in the affirmative.