HC Deb 06 February 1958 vol 581 c1324
2. Mr. Page

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he will now take the necessary steps to abolish the age requirement for civil defence personnel so that persons under the age of 30 years may be recruited.

Miss Hornsby-Smith

My right hon. Friend is in consultation with my right hon. Friend the Minister of Defence about manpower for civil defence, but he is not yet in a position to announce any changes in the field of recruitment.

Mr. Page

Can my hon. Friend say what is now the purpose of forbidding those under 30 to join the civil defence? It cannot be because they could by that means escape National Service, because they could not. What on earth is the point of keeping them out of civil defence now?

Miss Hornsby-Smith

My right hon. Friend is naturally anxious that there should be no unnecessary restriction on recruitment, but the possible effect of a reduction in the age limit from 30 should not be exaggerated. Subject to reserved obligations, it is already below 30 for the Auxiliary Fire Service and the parts of the corps most in need of young people, namely, the rescue section and the scientific intelligence officers.