§ Mr. Lipsonasked the Minister of Supply whether he is aware that, though there is a shortage of steel helmets for air-raid precautions wardens, members of the Home Guard, midwives and district nurses, yet they are being offered for sale to private individuals; and will he arrange that the essential services have the first claim on all steel helmets available from all sources?
§ Mr. Harold MacmillanAny stocks of serviceable steel helmets that can be traced in the hands of manufacturers or distributors are being taken over for Government purposes. Investigations from retail shops and advertisers have disclosed that, in general, stocks are negligible or non-existent and that such retailers cannot, in fact, procure further supplies. If my hon. Friend has any information as to available supplies, I should be grateful to receive it. I may add that last July my right hon. Friend issued directions to manufacturers of steel helmets that they should in future manufacture steel helmets on behalf of the Ministry of Supply only, and he has now under consideration the issue of a more comprehensive Order regulating their manufacture and sale.