§ 11. Mr. van Straubenzeeasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he expects to be in a position to make available to Easthampstead Rural District Council the vehicles and equipment formerly used for Civil Defence for the proposed Emergency Rescue Service; and whether the transfer will be made without cost.
§ Mr. Merlyn ReesMy right hon. Friend is prepared to provide the Council with the equipment it requires on the terms applicable to all local authorities. I should not be justified in making a transfer free of charge.
§ Mr. van StraubenzeeCan the Under-Secretary think of any simple way of explaining to a group of volunteers, who merely want to give service to their locality, why they should pay again for equipment which has already been paid for out of public funds?
§ Mr. ReesThe equipment provided was formerly used by voluntary workers, and is available to the full-time services. There are voluntary organisations which require people to join them. I would hope that people who were formerly in the Civil Defence Corps would find their way into the St. John Ambulance Brigade, with which I have some connection.