§ Mr. Cocksasked the President of the Board of Education whether he is aware that in a certain area, particulars of which have been sent to him, there is no provision of shelters for schoolchildren although one block of schools is attended by 1,100 children between the ages of 5 and 11; and whether he will take action in the matter?
§ Mr. RamsbothamThe answer to the first part of the Question is in the affirmative. The nature and extent of the protection, if any, at a particular school are matters for the discretion of the local education authority, in consultation with the local A.R.P. authority. I understand that the district which the hon. Member has in mind is in a reception area and is not regarded as one of the more vulnerable districts, but the local education authority have, I am informed, recently decided to provide shelter in this case for the youngest children, who might not easily be dispersed to neighbouring shelter on the receipt of a warning.
§ Mr. Manderasked the President of the Board of Education whether arrangements have now been made to supply all school air-raid shelters with gas curtains; and whether adequate quantities of anti-gas ointment are available in all cases?
439W
§ Mr. RamsbothamThe responsibility for determining the arrangements for airraid shelter for schoolchildren rests primarily with the local education authority, in consultation with the local A.R.P. authority. The question of antigas measures and of first-aid treatment of gas casualties is referred to in the Board's Circular 1467, of which I am sending the hon. Member a copy, and I have no reason to think that local education authorities are not making appropriate arrangements.