§ 42. Mr. Emrys Hughesasked the Prime Minister what Minister is responsible for the civil defence arrangements for the protection of United States citizens living near United States bombing bases in Great Britain.
§ The Prime MinisterCivil defence arrangements are the responsibility of the Ministers designated under the Civil Defence Act, 1948. These arrangements relate to the needs of the community generally, and do not include special provision for particular nationalities.
§ Mr. HughesIs the Prime Minister aware that the Ministers designated have already taken the responsibility for evacuating 4 million people in the event of war? Is he aware that there are a considerable number of American Service families in the region of these bases, and does he not think that, from the point of view of their safety, in view of the fact that the airmen, if sent to bomb Russia, might never come back, some steps should be taken to evacuate these American citizens to positions of safety?
§ The Prime MinisterI think that they will be considered as part of any general scheme for civil defence and not as members of any particular nationality.