21. Sir W. Ansrruther-Grayasked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he will make a statement regarding the future of civil defence; and whether the number of recruits keeps pace with the number of resignations.
§ Mr. WillisThe review of home defence referred to in the Statement of Defence, 1965, is not yet complete, and I cannot 1130 anticipate the results. The active strength of the Civil Defence Corps in Scotland fell by 94 in the year ending 30th September, 1965, to a figure of 22,688.
§ Sir W. Anstruther-GrayWill the Minister of State bear in mind that the delay in publishing this review of civil defence is very discouraging to people who are giving voluntarily of their time to doing this work?
§ Mr. WillisI fully appreciate that, but I think the right hon. Gentleman would agree that this important matter should be given proper consideration and that we should not try to be too hasty about it.