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2.
(6) Rendering Government buildings shock- or splinter-
proof:
(7) Splinter-proofing the premises of Essential
Services, e.g. power and water works, food stores
and
etc:/measures aimed at safeguarding and ensuring
food supplies.
(8) Protection of the general public e.g. trenches.
(9) Evacuation.
3.
Of these the first two are proceeding very
satisfactorily, thanks to the energy and ability with which Wing-Commander A.H. Steele-Perkins is devoting
himself to these tasks. Their cost is relatively small:
moreover, both are fundamentally necessary to any defence
scheme of this nature. No question regarding them,
therefore, is in issue. The last two are under close
examination at the present time.
4. Rough estimates of the cost of the other five measures, viz. Nos. (3) - (7) in paragraph 2 above are given in the annexure to this despatch, from which it
will be observed that their total costs are calculated
as follows:-
Anti-gas measures
(exclusive of cost of building)
$2,056,000
Protection against high explosive and incendiary bombs
2,274,000
General
1,000,000
Store
200,000
$5,530,000
Funds to cover this heavy expenditure not being
available, at any rate in a lump sum, there falls to be
considered which should be first put in hand and,
secondly, whether it is necessary to undertake all the
precautions detailed in the annexure.
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