HC Deb 27 January 1966 vol 723 cc386-7
33. Mr. Sharples

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will now make a statement on the reorganisation of Civil Defence.

51. Sir T. Beamish

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department on what date the Government began its review of Civil Defence; with which representative bodies and on what dates there have been consultations; whether a working party has been set up and what organisations are represented on it; why there have been no discussions with the Council on Territorial and Auxiliary Forces Associations; what is the reason for the delay in announcing the result of the review; and when, and in what form, a full statement of the Government's intentions will be made.

67. Mr. Hugh Fraser

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what consultations he has had with local authorities and the Association of Civil Defence Officers concerning the future of civil defence in this country.

Mr. Roy Jenkins

I hope to make a full statement in the very near future.

Mr. Sharples

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that over six months ago his right hon. Friend the Minister of Defence gave an undertaking that a statement would be made to the House in the near future? While we appreciate that the Home Secretary has not had very long to consider this matter, will he bear in mind the difficulties of morale among Civil Defence workers caused by continued delay?

Mr. Jenkins

Yes, I will, and the hon. Member will have noticed that in my Answer I used the phrase, not merely "near future", but "very near future".