HC Deb 21 June 1951 vol 489 cc679-80
17. Brigadier Prior-Palmer

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether wireless sets will be available for inter-communication between the Civil Defence central war-room in London, the regional war-rooms, and local authority headquarters.

Mr. de Freitas

I do not think it would be in the national interest to disclose details of our inter-communication system in war time, but I can assure the hon. and gallant Member that wireless will be used whenever it is practicable on technical grounds.

Brigadier Prior-Palmer

That is a rather uninformative reply. Does the hon. Gentleman realise that wireless is used in the Army from the highest command to the lowest unit, by the police, and even by taxi drivers? Does he also realise that a message is no alternative if there is a breakdown of telephonic communications between regional headquarters and London, and will he please take urgent steps to see that the highest form of wireless inter-communication is installed?

Mr. de Freitas

I certainly appreciate that the use of wireless saves time, but the appropriate wave bands have to be available.

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