asked the Home Secretary why less than half the sirens were sounded during an air-raid warning in a certain town in Scotland, and none at all in immediately adjacent towns; whether the warning was received and transmitted through appropriate channels; and whether he can give an assurance that adequate steps have been taken to ensure that, in future, the official plans in such cases will, in the area referred to, be put into effective operation?

A number of sirens were sounded on this occasion owing to an error in the transmission of warning messages. The answer to the last part of the question is in the affirmative.

Can the right hon. Gentleman add anything in regard to the general test made on Tuesday of this week, and can he say anything in regard to the efficiency of the machinery in the particular town, the test having been made general over a very wide area in Scotland?

I understand that the tests which are made are made with a view to ascertaining that the instruments are in full working order. As regards the operation of the warning system generally, I have every reason to think is working satisfactorily.

Will the right hon. Gentleman consider whether the time for which sirens are sounded is sufficiently long in order to get them up to their regular pitch?

That has not been brought to my notice, but I will go into the matter.