§ 6. Mr. Masonasked the Secretary of State for Air how many radiation detection posts have been built to date; and when he expects completion of the whole network.
§ Mr. H. FraserOne thousand, three hundred and nineteen. About 98 per cent. of the total programme should be completed by the end of this year. My right hon. Friend the Minister of Public Building and Works expects the remainder to be completed early next year.
§ Mr. MasonWhat is now the estimated total cost of building these radiation detection posts? What estimate has the right hon. Gentleman in mind for their maintenance? What success is he having in recruiting Royal Observer Corps personnel to man them?
§ Mr. FraserThe total cost is about £2¼ million. I cannot without notice tell the hon. Gentleman the maintenance cost. I will write to him about that. As to manning, we obviously need more men. We are not fully up to strength. However, in an emergency we should be able to man these posts fully.