§ 19. Mr. Buchanan-Smithasked the Secretary of State for Defence if he will now announce details of his plans to reorganise the Royal Observer Corps.
§ Mr. Merlyn ReesIn consequence of the Government's decision to reduce expenditure on home defence the number of observation posts will be reduced from 1,559 to 873, the number of group headquarters from 29 to 27 and the complement from 25,000 to 12,500. I regret that upwards of 5,000 volunteers—to whose services I pay sincere tribute—will become surplus.
§ Mr. Buchanan-SmithIs the hon. Gentleman aware that this news will be received by the Royal Observer Corps throughout the country with some sorrow? Is the volunteer spirit in the Royal Observer Corps to go the same way as the T.A. and the Civil Defence and be treated like that?
§ Mr. ReesThe Royal Observer Corps is to be kept, though at a reduced number. I would point out to the hon. Gentleman, who comes from Scotland, that in Scotland our new establishment is 2,870, but the strength, as at 1st March, 1968, was 2,690.