HC Deb 21 November 1963 vol 684 cc1152-3
6. Mr. Lubbock

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will authorise the publication of an evaluation of the effects of a nuclear attack on Great Britain, for the information of the general public as well as Civil Defence workers.

The Joint Under-Secretary of State for the Home Department (Mr. C. M. Woodhouse)

No, Sir. The effects of a nuclear attack would depend on so many variable factors that no single estimate that could be published would be of value.

Mr. Lubbock

Is not the hon. Gentleman aware that there is a pamphlet, No. 1, issued by the Civil Defence, entitled "Nuclear Weapons", which gives a picture of these effects but which is far too technical for the general public to understand? Could not it be shortened and made less technical so that it could be issued to the general public as well?

Mr. Woodhouse

That pamphlet is, of course, available to the general public if they want it. There is a much simplified version also on sale to the public which eliminates all the technical language.

Mr. Bence

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that in the leaflet which has been mentioned there is a suggestion that every householder should get some bricks with which to brick upwindows? Will he give an assurance that these bricks will be available?

Mr. Woodhouse

I think there would be no difficulty in carrying out the simple advice given to householders, but the pamphlet makes it perfectly clear that this advice is of no value inside areas of complete devastation. It would only be helpful to householders to take these simple precautions if their houses were outside the area of devastation.