§ 3. Brigadier Prior-Palmerasked the Secretary of State for War if he will make a statement as to the arrangements which have been made for military mobile columns to act with the Civil Defence organisation.
§ Mr. M. StewartSubject to its operational commitments, the Army has undertaken to provide support to the Civil Defence organisation if and when conditions after heavy air attack are such that the Civil Defence authorities are unable to restore the situation with their own resources.
§ Brigadier Prior-PalmerIn view of the probable preoccupation of the Regular Army with other duties, does not the hon. Gentleman consider that a mobile column of the Home Guard would fulfil these functions more adequately?
§ Mr. StewartYes, Sir, that is a possibility, and it is one of the things we are considering.