§ 74. Mr. Ellis Smithasked the Home Secretary whether he will review the regional organisation in the light of experience gained, reconsider the appointments made by the regional commissioners, and place the organisation on a more democratic basis, bringing in representatives of men who have the confidence of the people; and, as the present areas are too large and the machinery functions slowly, will he have regard to the economic geographical areas if more decentralisation is decided upon?
§ The Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Home Security (Mr. Mabane)While the Civil Defence regional organisation is under constant review, I am not clear what changes the hon. Member has in mind. No regional commissioners have yet made any appointments, and the method of appointment of officers of the regional staffs conforms with Civil Service practice. The size and boundaries of the various regions were settled after an exhaustive review of the needs of the various Departments and authorities concerned, and they have proved satisfactory in practice. The results to be achieved from any regrouping of the regions at the present time would not, I am satisfied, justify the expense and the dislocation of public business that would be involved.