asked the Lord Privy Seal whether he has received a report of the North Staffordshire blackout that took place on 20th March; if so, whether he is satisfied with the results; and what steps are to be taken to deal with pit-heaps, tips, and slag tips?

Yes, Sir. Unfortunately the weather conditions considerably hampered observations from the air, but I understand that, so far as could be judged, the screening of kilns, which was the main object of this black-out, proved satisfactory. As regards the last part of the question, I would refer the hon. Member to the reply which I gave on 23rd March to the hon. Member for Houghton-le-Spring (Mr. W. Joseph Stewart).

asked the Lord Privy Seal whether he will consider the more extensive use of films to popularise recruiting for air-raid precautions, indicating to the general public the kind of problems that face this country in defence against aerial attack?

Yes, Sir. I have this matter under consideration. A film called "The Warning" which shows all branches of defence in action, including the air-raid precautions services, has already been released and is at present being shown in a large number of picture houses in London. It makes a strong appeal for volunteers and I hope it will be shown all over the country.

Is it not a fact that many of the films taken so far do not show air-raid precautions in a very favourable light?

I think that if the hon. Member will look at the film he will revise; his opinion as regards that matter.

Will there he a charge for the films or will they be exhibited free of cost?

The position is that this is a commercial film, produced by a company called British National Films, and distributed by the Associated British Picture Corporation. The profits are to go to charity.

Will the right hon. Gentleman consider showing Members of the Cabinet this warning to the country?

asked the Lord Privy Seal whether any provisions have been made for the protection of winding apparatus, power stations, and ventilating plant at collieries in case of emergency; and, if so, what are their nature?

It is the responsibility of colliery owners to make proper arrangements for the safeguarding of their property against air attack. In order to assist them in the matter a memorandum on air-raid precautions for collieries was prepared by the Home Office in consultation with the Mines Department, and was distributed on 7th July last to owners and managers of all coal mines in Great Britain. I am sending the hon. Member a copy.

Has the Lord Privy Seal any knowledge of the action taken in this matter?

I must ask for notice of that question.

asked the Lord Privy Seal whether he will arrange to confer with the local authorities in the vicinity of Bridgend Royal Arsenal on matters of air-raid precautions, in order that plans may be properly co-ordinated and made appropriate to the requirements of this vulnerable area?

The planning and coordination of air-raid general precautions in this area is primarily a matter for the county council, who are the authority responsible under the Air-Raid Precautions Act for the arrangements for the county as a whole and are, I am sure, alive to the importance of keeping in touch with other local authorities concerned so that due regard shall be paid to the special requirements of particular localities. I am instructing the regional officer to maintain contact with the county council in case any special difficulties should arise.

asked the Lord Privy Seal whether he will give the House an assurance that all materials ordered for civil defence will be exclusively British; and, in particular, whether it is already specified in the subcontract for the supply of the cloth for Auxiliary Fire Service uniforms that British material must be supplied?

Care is taken to ensure that wherever possible materials supplied under Government contract for civil defence purposes shall be of British manufacture. Exceptions to this principle are made only in particular cases where there is evidence that satisfactory materials are not available from British sources or adequate manufacturing capacity cannot be developed in this country. Auxiliary Fire Service uniforms are purchased locally by individual fire authorities. The conditions laid down by the Department stipulate that the cloth used shall conform to Government Textile Technical Co-ordinating Committee specifications. I am sending my hon. and gallant Friend a copy of the relevant circular to local authorities. So far as I am aware, no material of any kind is being bought for this purpose abroad.

Will the right hon. Gentleman take early steps to put an end to the system under which every local authority has to buy firemen's uniforms, when they ought to be supplied on a national basis, as is done in regard to clothing contracts for the army and Air Force?

That matter was carefully considered some time ago and it was decided that this was the best method of procedure.