§ 9. Mr. Profumoasked the Secretary of State for Air the peak war-time strength of the Royal Observer Corps; and what is its present strength.
§ Mr. A. HendersonThe peak war-time strength of the Royal Observer Corps was 33,982; its present strength is 16,244.
§ Mr. ProfumoCan the right hon. and learned Gentleman give an estimate of the minimum figure which is required for adequate coverage of the whole country for air defence purposes?
§ Mr. HendersonThe total peace-time establishment is 28,376.
§ Mr. ProfumoI do not think the right hon. and learned Gentleman understood me properly. I was asking what he considers to be the minimum adequate figure which is necessary in order to give the total coverage which would be adequate in the case of operations.
§ Mr. HendersonThe hon. Member may take it that the peace-time establishment is related to the requirements of war-time; and that is 28,000.
§ Sir Ralph GlynHas the right hon. and learned Gentleman considered, in consultation with the Secretary of State for War, asking for recruits from the Home Guard who are too old now to do active operations to be enlisted into the Observer Corps?
§ Mr. HendersonI am grateful for that suggestion, but I should like the House to realise that last year nearly 2,000 recruits were obtained by the Royal Observer Corps and that that is satisfactory, although it is not as satisfactory as we would like it to be. I will certainly consider the hon. Member's suggestion.
§ Sir R. GlynThe right hon. and learned Gentleman's answer shows that there is a deficiency of nearly 10,000 people for the Observer Corps.