HC Deb 01 February 1939 vol 343 cc197-8
33. Mr. Craven-Ellis

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he will within the next 12 months assume an emergency is present and mobilise without previous warning the anti-aircraft and coast-defence units of the Territorial Army with a view of satisfying the people that the omissions which were disclosed in the crisis last September will not recur?

The Financial Secretary to the War Office (Sir Victor Warrender)

Exercises are contemplated which will ensure that each element of the defence is fully conversant with the particular problems of deployment confronting it. Such exercises will form part of normal training, and will be carried out in as realistic conditions as possible.

Mr. Craven-Ellis

Is my hon. Friend satisfied that the scheme which he has outlined will be sufficient to remove the fear on the part of people in this country that there may in the future be some inefficiency due to absence of equipment and organisation?

Sir V. Warrender

I should not care to give an answer to a hypothetical question of that kind, but I can assure my hon. Friend that the exercises will be realistic and will show the public that our air defences are becoming more and more efficient.

Mr. Bellenger

Have the omissions mentioned in the question now been remedied?

Mr. Davidson

The Minister has been removed.