HC Deb 28 May 1940 vol 361 cc410-1
45. Colonel Wedgwood

asked the Prime Minister whether he will consider taking steps to put the Air-Raid Precautions services under the War Office so that they may be trained to use arms?

The Lord Privy Seal (Mr. Attlee)

The suggestion contained in my right hon. and gallant Friend's Question would involve a radical change in the composition and organisation of the A.R.P. services and in their functions; and His Majesty's Government would not favour such a change.

Colonel Wedgwood

Does not the right hon. Gentleman think that the time is ripe for a radical reorganisation, especially when we are discussing the setting up of a special Defence Force under the War Office?

Mr. Attlee

Not in the direction suggested by the right hon. and gallant Gentleman.

59 and 60. Sir T. Moore

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) what are the grounds for the recent decision of his Department that Stirling cannot be included on the list of towns which are vulnerable from air attack, notwithstanding the recent visits of enemy aircraft;

(2) what are the grounds for the recent decision of his Department that Lerwick cannot be included on the list of towns which are vulnerable from air attack, notwithstanding the recent visits of enemy aircraft?

The Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Home Security (Mr. Mabane)

While all parts of the country are vulnerable to air attack the provision of shelter and other air-raid precautions measures varies with the estimated degree of vulnerability. The position at Stirling and Lerwick has recently been under review, and I am satisfied that the authorisations given by the Department represent a provision of air-raid precautions measures in accordance with the relative vulnerability of these towns and the needs of other areas.