§ 32. Mr. Watkinsonasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement as to what arrangements are being made for sectional and operational training for Civil Defence volunteers following their basic training; and what efforts are being made to maintain the interest and efficiency of all concerned.
§ The Under-Secretary of State for the Home Department (Mr. Geoffrey de Freitas)After basic training volunteers will have section training. The syllabus for this is in Training Memorandum No. 5 which was issued to local authorities on 8th May. During and after this training there will be practical exercises ranging from separate sectional exercises to those involving all sections of the local division and, where practicable, of adjoining divisions as well as Army units. In this way it is hoped to maintain the interest and efficiency of members of the corps.
§ Mr. WatkinsonWill these practical exercises, which, I am sure, will do a lot to revive waning interest in Civil Defence, be started this summer?
§ Mr. de FreitasThere have been some already, but in most local divisions it has not been possible to have them because there have not previously been enough men and women who have had their basic training.