HC Deb 14 December 1939 vol 355 cc1239-40
23. Major-General Sir Alfred Knox

asked the Home Secretary on what principle he has sanctioned expenditure on 295 air-raid wardens, ambulance drivers and auxiliary firemen for the city of Oxford, while the whole of the paid personnel for these services in the county of Buckingham, which includes important industrial centres in Slough, High Wycombe and Aylesbury only numbers 161?

Sir J. Anderson

As I mentioned in my reply to my hon. and gallant Friend's question on 7th December, the establishments of whole-time personnel have been under review, and according to the latest figures I have been able to obtain the number of paid air-raid wardens, ambulance drivers and auxiliary firemen in the city of Oxford is 226, whereas the corresponding figure for the county of Buckingham is 267.

Sir A. Knox

Is it not true that the industrial areas in Buckinghamshire require far more protection than anything in Oxford unless the right hon. Gentleman wants to protect Chatham House?

Sir J. Anderson

I have pointed out that the figures for Buckinghamshire are higher than those for Oxford.

Sir Herbert Williams

Is it not a fact that Oxford is where part of the Ministry of Information is situated, and, therefore, requires more protection?