§ 26. Sir D. Rentonasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether it is the policy of Her Majesty's Government to make preparations for protecting the population from the effects of hostile air attacks, conventional or nuclear; what is the nature of those preparations; how much will have been spent on them by the Government Departments and local authorities, respectively, in the current financial year; and whether he will make a statement.
§ Mr. R. CarrThe answer to the first part of the Question is "Yes". The preparations made form an integral part of the arrangements for the defence of the United Kingdom and it would not be in the national interest to go into detail about them. In 1972–73 the gross amount to be spent on civil defence is estimated at £10.7 million, of which £2.3 million will be spent by local authorities.
§ Sir D. RentonI appreciate what my right hon. Friend has said about nondisclosure in the national interest. However, will he say what he is doing to ensure that local government reorganisation causes minimum delay in improving the arrangements which we have—such as they are—for dealing with war-time emergencies, parts of which have been announced by his predecessor?
§ Mr. CarrI believe that the new local government system, when it is established, should help. I cannot tell my right hon. and learned Friend what I am doing at present, because it is rather too early. But I will give close attention to this matter as the new authorities come into being and, indeed, in preparation for their coming into being. I promise my right hon. and learned Friend that I shall do what I can.