HC Deb 24 July 1952 vol 504 c743
31. Dr. Stross

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what provisions are being made to provide against a possible attack in war by napalm bombing upon the civilian population; and how far instruction is being given to civilian defence personnel on this problem.

Sir D. Maxwell Fyfe

I am advised that the napalm bomb is a tactical weapon which would be very inefficient in use against civilian centres of population. If, nevertheless, it were used against the civilian population of this country, no Civil Defence measures additional to those already contemplated would be needed.

Dr. Stross

Does that mean that the Home Secretary is satisfied that we would have enough centres available for the treatment of the type of burns involved in napalm bombing, and that Civil Defence workers would understand the urgency for immediate removal and treatment?

Sir D. Maxwell Fyfe

I am never satistied on points on which improvements could obviously be made, and I shall do everything I can to see that the priorities and importances which the hon. Gentleman has mentioned are more widely known.

Mr. S. Silverman

Does not the right hon. and learned Gentleman see any hope at all of returning to the more civilised practice of pre-20th century days when wars were fought between combatants and when non-combatants still had some rights?

Sir D. Maxwell Fyfe

That is another question.