HC Deb 27 March 1941 vol 370 c719W
Sir J. Mellor

asked the Home Secretary what arrangements have been made with laundries for decontamination services in the event of chemical warfare developing?

Mr. H. Morrison

The decontamination of protective clothing of services under the control of local authorities will be carried out mainly in special tanks provided for the purpose. Civilian clothing may also be decontaminated in these tanks, at municipal wash-houses or in steam disinfectors, but in most areas it has also been necessary to make arrangements with commercial laundries. My Department is in close touch with the Institution of British Launderers in this matter for the purpose of perfecting arrangements, and the Service Departments are also cooperating with a view to co-ordinating requirements and avoiding overlapping.