§ 24. Mr. Masonasked the Secretary of State for Air what progress has been made regarding the proposals to site 1,500 radioactivity monitoring stations in this country.
§ Mr. NeaveThe Royal Observer Corps has for some years possessed about 1,500 observer posts throughout the country. The purpose of these is to fulfil the traditional rôle of tracking low flying aircraft. Now that the Corps is: responsible, in addition, for tracking and measuring radioactive fall-out in war, 387 underground accommodation is being added. This has been done for about 200 posts; contract action is in hand for most of the remainder.
§ Mr. MasonCould the hon. Gentleman say, when this programme of saturating the country with 1,500 radiation detectors is completed, what will be the possibility of using them for a peaceful operation in view of the fact that they are planned to be fully operative only during war?
§ Mr. NeaveWe expect the whole programme to be completed by 1961. The hon. Member asked me a Question earlier about the officers and others taking part in exercises. They take part in an annual exercise associated with the air defence exercises, but I have noted the point he made.