HC Deb 13 June 1940 vol 361 cc1364-5
Sir Patrick Hannon

asked the Home Secretary whether he has considered the resolution adopted by the emergency committee of the Birmingham City Council deploring the waste of time and labour in repeated appeals for recruits for Civil Defence organisation, and urging that measures for compulsory service for Civil Defence duties should be introduced immediately for all suitable persons of both sexes; and whether action is contemplated in response to this suggestion?

Sir J. Anderson

I would refer my hon. Friend to the statements made yesterday in the course of the Debate on Civil Defence.

Sir P. Hannon

Would it not be better to tackle this question seriously instead of adopting this piecemeal method of getting volunteers? Would it not be better to do what really ought to be done to get the whole country organised?

Sir J. Anderson

I cannot think that my hon. Friend read what I said last night on that subject.

Sir P. Hannon

Yes, I did.

Vice-Admiral Taylor

Is the Home Secretary aware that the appeal made for recruits last Saturday and Sunday has not been by any means satisfactory?