HC Deb 14 December 1939 vol 355 cc1246-8
39. Mr. Joel

asked the Home Secretary whether his attention has been called to the reorganisation of air-raid precautions work in Dudley, part of which has been the approval of a system of summoning voluntary workers by radio relay, telephone and messenger, thus enabling them to have a reasonable time of relaxation and yet be ready to take up emergency duties without delay; and whether he will suggest to other local authorities the desirability of adopting some similar system?

Sir J. Anderson

I am aware of this scheme; but, before I can suggest to other local authorities the desirability of adopting a similar system, I must have some experience to go upon. The Dudley scheme has only recently been formulated.

Sir Irving Albery

Has the right hon. Gentleman put forward any scheme, especially in the London area, for encouraging the recruiting of voluntary helpers?

Sir J. Anderson

That point is raised in a subsequent question.

42. Mr. Simmonds

asked the Home Secretary whether part-time volunteers are still needed for the Civil Defence services?

Sir J. Anderson

Yes, Sir. I hope that local authorities will make the fullest use of offers of part-time service in their A.R.P. organisation.

Mr. Simmonds

Does my right hon. Friend think that he will obtain an increase in the number of volunteers without a special effort, and will he consider having recruiting drives in the New Year in order to reduce the number of paid workers and increase the number of volunteers?

Sir J. Anderson

I do not think it is a question of a general recruiting drive. The problem is essentially a local one, as circumstances differ from area to area, and I am sure that the method we are now following of reviewing establishments area by area is most likely to produce the result we all desire, which is a combination of paid and voluntary efforts which will have every regard to economy.

Sir Irving Albery

Is the right hon Gentleman aware that he cannot either get or usefully use part-time help in air-raid precautions unless there is a properly organised system of recruiting, and that that does not exist?

Sir J. Anderson

I addressed local authorities only ten days ago on the question of the most effective method of organising part-time volunteers in conjunction with a nucleus of whole-time volunteers.

61. Mr. Riley

asked the Home Secretary whether his attention has been called to discrimination by some local authorities as between coloured and white British subjects in appointments for home security services; and whether the Government approve or disapprove of such discrimination?

Sir J. Anderson

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply given to a question by the hon. Member for West Leyton (Mr. Sorensen) on nth October.

Mr. Riley

Is it the policy of the Government to disapprove of this kind of thing?

Sir J. Anderson

What was said in answer to the hon. Member for West Leyton was that any action making it difficult for British subjects of whatever part of the Empire to co-operate in the national effort was, in my view, greatly to be deprecated. That is a fair enough indication of the attitude of the Government.

Mr. Sorensen

Have any other instances of discrimination been brought to the notice of the right hon. Gentleman?

Sir J. Anderson

No, Sir.