CO129-580-9 Air Raid precautions- supply of equipment 14-2-1939 - 24-11-1939 — Page 25

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existence of such shelters would therefore be merely

a temptation to people to leave the relatively greater

safety of their homes.

It appears to be certain that

in ost cases such fugitives would fail to reach

Householders are their objectives in time.

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therefore recommended to take whatever steps they can to strengthen the ground floor of their houses, as advised by the Air Raid Precautions Officer. As regards protection against gas an organisation is to be set up which will enable civilians to purchase respirators at cost price. The respirators will be ont for the purchaser by Government in an air-conditioned store and issued on demand. A further announcement as to the details of this scheme and as to how applications under it should be made will be published later by the Air Raid Precautions Officer.

5.

The carrying out of this programme has involved and will involve exynditure very substantially in excess of the provision approved in the 1939 Estimates. Apart from the incidental expenses of the Air Raid Precautions Department that provision consisted of the suns of $230,000 for all kinds of mobilizations stores and $200,000 for mublic

The further works, including a new store. expenditure this year for which covering authority will now be required exceeds $1,500,000 and the necessary formal votes will be submitted for the

consideration of Finance Committee at this aftor-

noon's meeting.

Estimates for further expenditure

next year will be included in the ordinary Estimates for 1940/41.

29th June, 1939.