§ 20. Mr. Blakerasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will now announce the results of his review of civil defence.
§ Mr. SharplesI would refer my hon. Friend to the reply given to a Question by my right hon. and learned Friend the Member for Huntingdonshire (Sir D. Renton) on 5th August. The further work my right hon. Friend then referred to is in hand. Some detailed proposals have been put to the local authority associations concerned.—[Vol. 822, c. 369–70.]
§ Mr. BlakerI fully understand my right hon. Friend's desire to give this matter careful consideration and thus to get the decision right, but is the Home Office bearing in mind that there are thousands of voluntary workers throughout the country who have put in excellent work over the years on civil defence who are impatiently awaiting an announcement?
§ Mr. SharplesYes, Sir, I realise that, and I realise also the importance of an early decision in this matter.
§ Sir D. RentonWill my hon. Friend confirm that, pending these further negotiations with the local authorities, he does not preclude the possibility of members of voluntary civil aid societies being used to help in the further development of civil defence?
§ Mr. SharplesI think that the House should await the outcome of the consultations which are taking place. I cannot add anything to what my right hon. Friend said on the subject of volunteers in his reply on 5th August.