§ 26. Mr. Zilliacusasked the Minister of Housing and Local Government and Minister for Welsh Affairs what revision 1300 he has made of his civil defence plan for evacuating 12 million people in case of nuclear war, so as to take account of the changes in railway transport proposed by Dr. Beeching and approved by the Government.
§ Sir K. JosephThe hon. Member is presumably referring to the Government's plans to make available a scheme for the dispersal of 9½ million people in priority classes from certain towns in England and Wales. The Government are considering what effect the proposals for the reorganisation of the railways would have on the detailed planning of this scheme.
§ Mr. ZilliacusWhen the Government have finished their consideration, will they be kind enough to arrange a debate on the matter in view of the great doubt about whether the scheme can be carried out at all during the general period of alert before a four-minute warning, which is the period assigned in the policy?
§ Sir K. JosephI am sure that the usual channels will note the hon. Gentleman's suggestion.
§ Mr. ShinwellWill the Government's consideration take place after the closures have been imposed, or before?
§ Sir K. JosephMy right hon. Friend the Minister of Transport has made it plain that the Government are studying the implications of this Report now.