asked the Home Secretary whether he is now in a position to make a statement as to the apportionment of the cost of air raid precautions between the Government and local authorities?

I regret that I am unable to add anything to the reply which I gave to a number of questions on the subject on 8th April.

Will my hon. Friend endeavour to give the House some indication when he expects to make an announcement?

I hope at an early date.

asked the Home Secretary the number of additional motor fire-extinguishing pumps that have been ordered by fire brigade authorities since they were circularised on the need to make some extra provision for a possible national emergency?

I regret that this information is not available. The hon. Member is, no doubt, aware that the Government have undertaken to provide in kind motor fire pumps up to a number sufficient to cover a substantial proportion of the local authorities' requirements under their approved local emergency fire brigade schemes. These schemes are for the most part still in preparation.

asked the Home Secretary (1) what steps have been taken to lessen, in the event of aerial attack, the dangers likely to arise from large bulk petrol storage in dock and manufacturing areas which are of vital importance in any scheme of national defence;

(2) whether he has yet considered any national emergency measures for lessening the dangers arising from the storage in industrial areas of white spirit and similarly highly inflammable products in large capacity tanks above ground?

I would refer the hon. Member to an answer given on this subject by the Minister for the Co-ordination of Defence on 24th February last.