§ 17. Mr. McQuarrieasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether his Department is sponsoring any research at universities in civil defence studies.
§ Mr. HurdNot at present, Sir, but we rely extensively on the voluntary advice of academics in civil defence.
§ Mr. McQuarrieMy right hon. Friend will no doubt agree that this country has not been connected with a major war for 38 years. However, will he accept that the fact that the Civil Service conditions and regulations have become a little out of date over that period, and that the likelihood of nuclear weapons being used in any major war in the future has increased, means that it is imperative that universities should be given the opportunity for intensive research to secure the safety of our citizens?
§ Mr. HurdMy hon. Friend is right in saying that the plans, both of central Government and local authorities, should be kept up to date. The new regulations that Parliament has just approved will enable us to do so. If my hon. Friend has any ideas about academic research that might be useful, I hope that he will let me know of them.