HC Deb 21 June 1951 vol 489 cc678-9
7. Brigadier Prior-Palmer

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he is in a position to make a statement regarding the issue of uniforms to members of the Civil Defence Corps.

Mr. de Freitas

During the next year or two a considerable amount of cloth will be required for the Armed Forces and it is unlikely that the Civil Defence Corps will get all they need for uniforms. As I told the House in April the issue of uniforms has been suspended. My right hon. Friend is consulting the local authority associations as to which of these three alternatives should be followed:

  1. uniforms should be issued, as they become available, to all members of the Corps;
  2. uniforms should be issued to certain selected members of the Corps;
  3. uniforms should not be issued but should be put in stock as a reserve in case of war.

Brigadier Prior-Palmer

Can the hon. Gentleman say whether protective clothing against atomic radiation is included in "uniforms"?

Mr. de Freitas

Except for certain specialist sections of the Corps, it is.