§ 31. Mr. Bellengerasked the Secretary of State for War what progress is being made with the training of troops for Civil Defence duties; and whether he will make a statement.
§ Mr. HeadCivil Defence is now playing a much larger part in the training programme of the Regular and Reserve Armies. It will be the main subject for study by Army officers during this winter and next summer a large scale exercise will take place in the London area.
Units of the Mobile Defence Corps are starting to form and initial training has been given to the volunteer cadres of 25 of them. National Service men selected to carry out their part-time training in this Corps are now being taught rescue work at the new centres during the last month of their full-time service.
§ Mr. BellengerWithout wishing to hustle the right hon. Gentleman, may I ask if he can give us information about the future rôle of the Army? Shall we have to rely more and more on Regular troops, including National Service men, for Civil Defence duties?
§ Mr. HeadAgainst the threat of nuclear attack the Army in the field, or such of the Army as is at home, must be prepared to play its full part in combating this emergency. This applies both to the Reserve Army and the active Army.
§ Mr. BellengerWill that include the Territorial Army to any large extent?