Written Answers
Temporary Police (Scotland)
asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he is aware that retired members of the mercantile marine, retired postal officials and retired road surface men are being engaged as temporary police to the exclusion of trained and qualified retired policemen; and whether he will see that steps are taken to secure efficiency in regard to such temporary police service?
Under the arrangements made for strengthening Police Forces in time of emergency, provision is made for the fullest possible use of the services of all suitable retired Police Officers who may be available. I am not aware of any area in which suitable retired Police Officers, who have offered their services, have not been engaged, but if the hon. and learned Member will send me particulars of any case he has in mind, I shall be glad to inquire into it. All possible steps have been, and are being taken to secure the efficiency of the temporary Police.
Civil Defence
Respirators (Babies)
asked the Home Secretary whether his Department approves the issue of babies' gas-masks wherever these are available; and whether any local authority waiting for the outbreak of an emergency is holding back such distribution?
Local Authorities have been advised that they should not distribute these appliances without specific authority from the Department, but this authority is given as soon as an adequate supply has been sent to the particular area concerned. I know of no case in which a local authority has withheld distribution after this authority has been given.
Hire Of Vehicles
asked the Minister of Transport whether he is aware that the scale of provisional payments to be made for vehicles hired for various emergency purposes are inadequate to cover the essential standing charges which have been or must be met by the owners; that the rates for each class of vehicle bears no proper ratio to the capital and maintenance cost of each type of vehicle, respectively; and will he take steps to remedy this?
Yes, Sir. I am in active consultation with the interests concerned with a view to reaching agreement as to the charges properly payable for all classes of vehicles hired for Defence and other services and I shall do my best to reach a conclusion as quickly as possible. Meanwhile, I am at once reconsidering the scale of provisional payments, as well as their wider application.
Evacuation
asked the Minister of Health, whether, before the late autumn season starts, steps will be taken to supervise the winter arrangements for evacuees, especially children, so as to ensure that conditions of housing, clothes and food are everywhere satisfactory?
I can assure my hon. and gallant Friend that the matters to which he refers are receiving the constant attention of my Department.
New Industries (Loan Facilities)
asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer, when he expects to make loan facilities available to industries to assist in the establishment of new industrial undertakings in areas of heavy unemployment?
In present circumstances the Government have come to the conclusion that there is no longer any justification for making special loan facilities available in particular areas and accordingly the Loans Facilities Bill will not be proceeded with.
Local Authorities(Members)
asked the Minister of Health, whether he will make a statement showing which paid posts in the recently created Government organisations may and which may not be occupied by elected members of local authorities?
The general position is that a member of a local authority is disqualified for being appointed by that authority to any paid office, but this disqualification has been removed by section 10 of the Local Government Staffs (War Service) Act, 1939, as regards employment in any service established under the Civil Defence Acts, 1937 and 1939. I will look into the position in relation to any particular paid post which the hon. Member has in mind.