§ Mr. Garro-Jonesasked the Lord Privy Seal which authority is responsible for the provision of fire-fighting appliances afloat and ashore, in and about the Thames estuary; how many specially-constructed vessels are available; and whether, having regard to the large storage and transport of oil and other commodities in this zone, he is satisfied that the personnel and equipment provided is adequate for effective defence against incendiary attack?
§ Sir J. AndersonThis matter is one which primarily falls to be dealt with by the respective fire authorities in their air-raid fire precautions schemes. Three emergency fire boats have been provided by the London County Council. In view of the special risks, of which I am fully aware, I have under consideration, in consultation with the London County Council, the question of further augmenting the river fire-fighting service for the protection of property on and adjacent to the river below as well as within the county area.
§ Mr. Markhamasked the Lord Privy Seal whether he can now state the rates of pay which it is proposed to offer to volunteers serving whole-time during war in the services of civil defence?
§ Sir J. AndersonIt is at present contemplated that there should be a flat rate of pay for whole-time service in war for all air-raid precautions volunteers and for auxiliary firemen, the rate for men being 60s. a week and for women 40s. a week. It will be understood that this proposal must be subject to any later decisions of the Government of the day, should the occasion for whole-time service arise.
§ Mr. Markhamasked the Lord Privy Seal whether his attention has been drawn to methods used in China against high explosive bombs, particularly those involving light additional roofs built above 1924W existing roofs; and whether he proposes to develop or introduce any such methods in this country?
§ Sir J. AndersonI understand that in China the erection of a series of bamboo roofs over the roofs of buildings was found to be of some value in intercepting and detonating bombs of moderate size but that their use was subsequently prohibited by the Chinese authorities because of the added fire risk.
§ Mr. G. Straussasked the Lord Privy Seal whether the proposed 12 regional directors are to be full-time servants of the Government and what salary they are to receive?
§ Sir J. AndersonThe peace-time duties of Regional Commissioners will be restricted to effecting such contacts with the local authorities and others as will enable them to function effectively in war time and they will not be engaged whole time on their duties except in the event of war. No question of remuneration will arise in peace time, but it is contemplated that remuneration might be paid though possibly not in all cases in time of war. No rates have been fixed.
§ Mr. Hall-Caineasked the Lord Privy Seal whether he is aware that instructions have been given to air-raid precautions organisers in all parts of the country, to make certain arrangements in the event of an emergency; and what is the nature of the arrangements made to ensure that an official indication will be broadcast by the Government when such a state exists, or is considered to be developing, so that air-raid precautions departments of local authorities will be able to put their plans into operation simultaneously, and will not be left to use their own discretion as to whether an emergency exists, or may be said to be developing; and is he now prepared to define the term emergency?
§ Sir J. AndersonI am not aware of the issue of instructions of the character to which my hon. Friend refers. If and when circumstances require, the Air-Raid Precautions Department would instruct each scheme-making authority to put its plans into operation. In regard to the last part of the question, I am afraid it is not possible to give any short definition of the circumstances which might justify a decision to give these instructions to the authorities concerned.
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§ Lieut.-Colonel Heneageasked the Lord Privy Seal whether it is proposed to make a grant to grammar schools, public schools, and universities for the protection of scholars during air-raids; and what action is being taken in the case of elementary and private schools?
§ Sir J. AndersonInstitutions which are not maintained or aided by local education authorities, and also universities, would be expected themselves to take such protective measures as might be necessary. As regards elementary and other schools which are so maintained or aided I am at present in communication with my right hon. Friend the President of the Board of Education.
§ Mr. R. Gibsonasked the Lord Privy Seal whether, in view of the fact that only deep underground shelters provide certain safety in case of air-raid bombardment, and of the further fact that sloping land and railway tunnelling are available at Greenock, what provision is proposed there for protection against air attack; and whether he has any statement to make, and recommendation to give thereon?
§ Sir J. AndersonI am aware of the fact that the authorities in Greenock have been giving thought to the possibilities referred to by the hon. Member; and I shall, of course, be ready to give my consideration to any proposals which they may submit.
§ Mr. Montagueasked the Lord Privy Seal whether he will inquire into the question of the danger to the area of West Islington in the event of air attack in view of the proximity of important London railway termini, electricity stations, and large gasworks, the highly congested nature of most of the district, the absence of adequate backyards or gardens in many instances, and of parks and squares; and whether he will consider these facts with a view to the urgent evacuation and shelter policy required?
§ Sir J. AndersonYes, Sir. The circumstances of this and other vulnerable areas will be duly considered in the further development of evacuation and shelter policy.
§ Mr. Montagueasked the Lord Privy Seal what is the position of sub-tenants in respect of houses inhabited by people with incomes over the free supply of individual shelters limit; whether expense 1926W and protection are in such instances to be shared between all tenants; and how is the arrangement to be effected?
§ Sir J. AndersonI am not quite sure as to the precise case that the hon. Member has in mind, but I would point out that a householder who satisfies the other conditions will not be excluded merely because he is a sub-tenant.
§ Mr. Whiteasked the Lord Privy Seal when he expects to be in a position to deliver to the county borough of Birkenhead the fire-fighting equipment promised in September last?
§ Sir J. AndersonTwo large trailer pumps will be delivered in the course of the next few days, and the promised light trailers I hope, in two or three weeks.
§ Mr. Whiteasked the Lord Privy Seal whether his Department is prepared to give information and advice with regard to the physical protection of workpeople in industrial establishments from air attack?
§ Sir J. AndersonYes, Sir. Some guidance on this matter has already been given in A.R.P. Handbook No. 6. Additional information is being prepared in the Department and will, I hope, be available to employers shortly.
§ Mr. Bossomasked the Lord Privy Seal whether, in view of the number of questions being asked by all sections of the community upon matters relating to evacuation, billeting, and air-raid precautions, he will consider arranging with the British Broadcasting Corporation some special time for the next few weeks when many of these answers may be broadcast?
§ Sir J. AndersonThe British Broadcasting Corporation were good enough to give facilities on Tuesday last for a series of such questions to be answered, and similar facilities have been arranged for next Tuesday.
§ Mr. Henderson Stewartasked the Lord Privy Seal whether, apart from local authority efforts, his own Department is taking the initiative in seeking out effective schemes for air-raid shelters; and whether he can assure the House that decision upon bomb-proof shelters does not depend solely upon the result of examination of proposals submitted by local authorities?
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§ Sir J. AndersonMy hon. Friend may rest assured that I am making inquiry into the possibilities of all forms of air-raid shelter, independently of the submission of proposals by local authorities.
§ Mr. Whiteasked the Lord Privy Seal whether Birkenhead is included in the same category for the receipt of steel shelters as Liverpool; and, if not, whether he will state the reasons for the decison?
§ Mr. Erringtonasked the Lord Privy Seal whether Bootle is placed in the same position as Liverpool for the supply of street shelters for the protection of the public against air raids?
§ Sir J. AndersonI assume my hon. Friend the Member for Bootle (Mr. Errington) has in mind the steel shelters which are being distributed to householders in vulnerable areas. The answer in the case of both Birkenhead and Bootle is in the affirmative.
§ Mr. McEnteeasked the Lord Privy Seal whether local authorities in the Greater London area which are in the danger zone and where steel shelters are now being supplied are given any discretion in regard to supplying free shelters to persons whose income is above £250 per annum; and what is the limit of such discretionary power?
§ Sir J. AndersonThe initial distribution of steel shelters will be limited to those persons who, on what in the view of the Government is a generous interpretation, are not in a position to provide protection at their own expense. Border-line cases will be dealt with later when the needs of the poorer classes have been met. Local authorities will confine this initial distribution to the classes of persons indicated in the circular which has been issued to them; but I would point out that these classes are not limited solely to persons with an income of under £250. All manual workers are within the scope of the free distribution, and other individuals who are mainly dependent on earnings exceeding £250 may come within its scope if they have more than two children of school age.
§ Sir P. Harrisasked the Lord Privy Seal whether he can indicate which of the boroughs, or parts thereof, in the East End of London are regarded as being 1928W in a special danger zone; and whether special arrangements have been made for the evacuation of their population?
§ Sir J. AndersonThe Administrative County of London and the Boroughs of East and West Ham, Barking, Waltham-stow, Ilford and Leyton, have been classified as vulnerable areas for the purposes of the Government's plans with regard to evacuation and air-raid shelters.