§ 6. Sir W. Anstruther-Grayasked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he will now make a statement on civil 188 defence; and how the active strength of the Civil Defence Corps in Scotland compares with the figure on 30th September last.
§ Mr. RossI cannot anticipate the statement that my right hon. Friend the Home Secretary hopes to make in the very near future outlining the views which the Government have reached as a result of the home defence review. As at 31st December, 1965, the active strength of the Civil Defence Corps in Scotland was 23,684, 996 more than at 30th September, 1965.
§ Sir W. Anstruther-GrayI welcome the figure which the right hon. Gentleman has given me, but will he bear in mind that delay is most disheartening to volunteers, and that the sooner the statement to which he refers is made the better it will be?
§ Mr. RossI appreciate that delays are a cause of concern among those who have given or are giving this service, and this is why we intend that there shall be as little delay as possible in making the statement.
§ Mr. NobleCan the Secretary of State assure the House that he is making full representations to his colleagues on the problems which will arise if the Territorial Army is disbanded altogether in Scotland? It has a most important part to play in this rôle.