HC Deb 21 May 1942 vol 380 cc353-5
32. Mr. Lindsay

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many Civil Defence Cadet Corps are now in existence; and what steps he is taking actively to promote them?

The Secretary of State for the Home Department (Mr. Herbert Morrison)

I am aware of six bodies of this kind. Two of these were given official encouragement, but, since then, arrangements have been concluded with the Admiralty, the War Office and the Air Ministry whereby members of the Sea Cadet Corps, the Army Cadet Force and Junior Training Corps, and the Air Training Corps, are encouraged to undertake part-time Civil Defence duty, and this is felt to be preferable to the formation of further bodies which might compete with those organisations in the matter of recruitment.

Mr. Lindsay

Is my right hon. Friend aware that this is all wrong, that there are at least 40 per cent. of these young people in no organisation, that there is no competition with the other three bodies and that here is an opportunity for a first-class organisation growing up all over the country? Will he reconsider his answer?

Mr. Morrison

No, Sir, I do not think that would be wise. The circumstances of Civil Defence are very different from those of the Service Departments, which have been very co-operative. It would involve needless overlapping and competition if I were to start a fourth Cadet Corps. I think the arrangements we have made are the best way of handling the problem.

Mr. Lindsay

Is the Minister aware that he is damming up the enthusiasm of hundreds of thousands of young people, who are readily forming themselves into these corps and are drilling and carrying on practical Civil Defence work? There is no competition. We want, not one youth organisation in this country, but half-a-dozen. What does the right hon. Gentleman mean by his answer?

Mr. Morrison

I have said what I mean, and I cannot say more than that.

Sir Percy Harris

Is the Minister not aware that a great number of lads in London have been helping Civil Defence units and that they feel rather disheartened at having to divert their energies to other organisations?

Mr. Morrison

I have not said that my Department will not allow lads to go into Civil Defence. On the contrary, these lads come in. The question is whether we should run a national drive to set up a national organisation for a limited purpose. Most of the work of National Defence must be done by adult persons, and we have not the carry-over which the Service Departments have in their organisations. I am not refusing to accept the services of young people, but I do not think it will be wise to set up a further organisation competitive with the Service Departments.

Mr. Lindsay

In view of the unsatisfactory nature of the reply, I beg to give notice that I will raise the matter again at an early opportunity.