HC Deb 15 November 1962 vol 667 cc538-40
5. Mr. Wingfield Digby

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what has been the response to Home Office Circular 18/6962 on the reorganisation of Civil Defence; and what is the number of resignations among. Civil Defence volunteers since its publication.

Mr. Brooke

The reorganisation of the Civil Defence Corps, announced in July, was introduced on 1st October. It is too soon for any reliable assessment to be made of the response to the new arrangements. In the quarter ended 30th September there were 18,233 resignations and discharges from the Corps, a gross loss of a little over 5 per cent. of its total strength.

Mr. Digby

Will my right hon. Friend bear in mind that the training requirements have been made very exacting for this excellent body of volunteers who are being asked to give up a great deal of their spare time?

Mr. Brooke

I recognise that. We consulted all concerned before bringing in this new plan. I think that it is important that volunteers should fulfil the precise training obligations in order to remain active members. We also have now the Civil Defence Corps Reserve which provides for members who have taken the standard training but who cannot undertake continuing obligations.

18. Mr. Frank Allaun

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what civil defence plans were available at the time of the recent Cuba crisis; which of these were operated; and what plans Her Majesty's Government have to protect key members of the Government or certain workers in essential industries which do not apply to the general population.

Mr. Brooke

Successive Defence White Papers have set out a wide range of Civil Defence measures, including plans for the maintenance of regional administration and essential services. They could have been put into operation at short notice had it been necessary. In the event it was not.

Mr. Allaun

But the Home Secretary has not answered the third part of my Question. Are not the public entitled to know the facts? Whilst it is highly doubtful whether any shelter can provide protection against an H-bomb, is the Minister aware that any such special arrangements would arouse widespread repugnance and indignation?

Mr. Brooke

The third part of the Question appeared to be based on a passage in a publication called Peace News, which on this occasion I read. I have no knowledge of special arrangements to protect Members of the Government. It is certainly the case that for the benefit of the proper working of the whole Civil Defence organisation there will be protected regional headquarters for key personnel.

22. Mr. Greenwood

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he is aware that at 6 p.m. on Saturday 27th October, two Hampstead residents sought advice as to what civil defence protection was available; that telephone calls to four civil defence offices achieved no result either because no advice was available or no reply was obtained, and that his department advised telephoning the police who advised telephoning the Hampstead Town Hall, from which no reply could be obtained; and what steps he is taking to increase civil defence alertness in London outside normal working hours.

Mr. Brooke

I read a report to this effect in the local press. I am sorry the two persons did not offer their services to the Civil Defence Corps earlier.

In reply to the last part of the Question, civil defence measures can be put into operation at short notice, in case of necessity.

Mr. Greenwood

Is the Minister aware that one of the offices from which no reply could be received was the London headquarters of Civil Defence? Can he tell the House how it would be possible to alert services at short notice if telephonic communication could not be achieved? Further, is the Minister aware of the effect which his Department's fumbling is having on the morale of Civil Defence workers?

Mr. Brooke

There is no fumbling at all. In fact the whole Civil Defence organisation could have been alerted at short notice at that time. It was, however, a specific decision by Her Majesty's Government that no such steps should be taken in the circumstances.

Mr. Greenwood

In view of the unsatisfactory nature of that reply, I beg to give notice that I shall raise the matter on the Adjournment.