HC Deb 18 June 1959 vol 607 cc630-2
17. Mr. Harold Davies

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will enumerate the possibilities he is considering for the evacuation of 12 million people from Great Britain in the event of war; and what will the priorities for evacuation be.

21. Mr. Hale

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he has now completed his plans for evacuation of the civilian population in case of war; what is the present estimate of the number of persons to be evacuated; and what parts of the county of Lancaster are to be reception and what parts evacuation areas.

Mr. R. A. Butler

I have at present nothing to add to the reply which I gave to the hon. Member for Uxbridge (Mr. Beswick) on 11th June.

Mr. Davies

Yes, Sir, but does not the right hon. Gentleman realise that this shows the complete absurdity of the Prime Minister's statement? If on a hot Sunday there is a queue twelve miles long going to the seaside, where in the name of God—

Mr. Speaker

Order, order.

Mr. Davies

—will they put 12 million people? Why not give up this absurdity?

Mr. Butler

I do not recognise the wisdom of my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister's remarks in the gloss provided by the hon. Gentleman.

Mr. Davies

There was no gloss at all.

Mr. Hale

Would the right hon. Gentleman be good enough to tell me, in view of the fact that I heard the remark that he was going to answer two Questions together, what was the answer to the Question I put down, which was about Lancashire, because I heard nothing about Lancashire, and Lancashire is anxious to survive and would be grateful for any information he could give us?

Mr. Butler

Yes, Sir. I indicated in my Answer that we are not yet in a position to make a statement which would give satisfaction to the hon. Gentleman, and that remains the position in relation to Lancashire as it does to other parts of the country.

Mr. S. Silverman

Does the right hon. Gentleman recall that some four or five weeks ago there were several Questions and supplementary questions to his Department and to the Minister of Defence about the reconciliation of the two views of the two Departments on this question? On that occasion, did not the right hon. Gentleman undertake to communicate to the House the result of an investigation he was making into the matter, and can he now tell us when he will be able to tell the House the result of it?

Mr. Butler

It does not involve only communication with the Ministry of Defence. The question involves the consideration of the strategic requirements, the transport and other facilities and the accommodation in reception areas, and I am not yet in a position to give an answer to the House or to make a statement on the subject.