HC Deb 29 June 1950 vol 476 cc2425-7
1. Mr. Osborne

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many new Civil Defence uniforms have been ordered for men and women separately; at what cost; and how many volunteers have been enrolled up to date.

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

Certain inter-Departmental arrangements have been made for the use of Government surplus materials, but no new uniforms have yet been ordered and the details are still under consideration. As regards the last part of the Question, I would refer the hon. Member to the reply which I gave on 22nd June to a Question by the hon. and gallant Member for Worthing (Brigadier Prior-Palmer).

Mr. Osborne

Since the position has deteriorated very much since 22nd June. and in view of the great dangers now facing the country, is the Home Secretary satisfied with the number of volunteers coming forward?

Mr. Ede

Perhaps the hon. Gentleman will recall that I said last week that I was not satisfied.

6. Mr. Keeling

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he is aware that his campaign for recruits for Civil Defence was badly timed, gave no credit to Civil Defence workers of the last war, and no inspiration for the future; and whether he will cause an inquiry to be made into the improvements which are necessary.

Mr. Ede

I do not accept the implications in the first part of the Question, but I am, naturally, considering, in the light of past experience, how improvements can be effected in any future recruiting drive, with a view to helping local authorities and impressing on the public the importance of building up our Civil Defence organisation.

Mr. Keeling

Is the Home Secretary aware that his Civil Defence department, in a recent circular to Civil Defence committees, has admitted that the campaign was badly timed and put the blame, quite naturally, on the General Election for having upset it? Would not the present international crisis be a good opportunity for starting afresh?

Mr. Ede

As I said last week, I think that the most effective means of increasing the Civil Defence Force is through the efforts of those who have already joined it. I think that one comment in the hon. Member's Question was not justified, because on every occasion when I have spoken on this matter I have paid tribute to the work done by those who helped in the past and have already been recruited.

Mr. Harrison

Is my right hon. Friend satisfied with the help and co-operation he is receiving from the local authorities?

Mr. Ede

On the whole they have, I think, behaved very well.

Brigadier Prior-Palmer

Does not the Home Secretary realise that those recruits, few in number, who have joined are extremely disgruntled because they are not being given any training or anything to do? Is he aware that there is widespread dissatisfaction throughout the country, mainly because there is no training equipment?

Mr. Ede

I think that matter is being very rapidly improved.

7. Mr. Keeling

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he is aware of the dissatisfaction of Civil Defence committees with his recruiting posters, which compare unfavourably with those issued by the Armed Forces or locally by Civil Defence associations; and whether he will offer prizes for the best posters.

Mr. Ede

I am aware that there has been some criticism of these posters which will be borne in mind when new ones are being prepared. As regards the last part of the Question, I am considering the hon. Member's suggestion.

Mr. Keeling

Does not the Home Secretary agree that it would be better if posters appealed to patriotism and national needs rather than to the opportunities of meeting the other sex, as the Home Office poster I show here, which has been much criticised, does?

Mr. Ede

One has to appeal to all tastes. I will try to see that as wide a variety of tastes as possible are appealed to.

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