CIVIL DEFENCE (TRAINING IN NURSING) REGULATIONS, 1963 (Hansard, 8 May 1963)

§ THE PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY, MINISTRY OF HEALTH (LORD NEWTON)

My Lords, I beg to move that the draft Civil Defence (Training in Nursing) Regulations, 1963, be approved. It may be convenient to your Lordships if, at the same time, I explain the similar Regulations for Scotland which my noble friend Lord Lothian will move formally at a later stage, if that meets with your Lordships' approval. The Regulations confer on the councils of counties and county boroughs in England and Wales, and of counties and large burghs in Scotland, the function of giving training in home nursing and first-aid in peace time to as many people as wish to receive it. They also require the councils, in exercising these functions, to comply with any directions which may be given to them by my right honourable friends the Minister of Health and the Secretary of State for Scotland. Expenses incurred will be eligible for Civil Defence grant in the ordinary way.

In the event of air attacks, sick and injured people would have to be cared for by their families and neighbours until help could be provided by the organised Civil Defence forces, and these forces would have to give priority to the most serious cases. It is therefore desirable, indeed essential, that as many people as possible should understand the rudiments of home nursing and first-aid. The local authorities' associations and the Voluntary Aid Societies have been consulted about these proposals, which are acceptable to them, and the latter have expressed their willingness to assist in the organisation of courses. We are most grateful to them for saying that, as indeed we are for all the work which they are already doing in this field on their own account.

A model syllabus is being prepared and it will be suggested to local authorities that the training courses should normally be covered in five 2-hour attendances and with the emphasis on informal talks with demonstrations, rather than on formal 705 lectures. It will also be suggested to them that a start should be made on a limited scale, and that as experience is gained training should be offered to wider sections of the community. Those who take this training will not thereby be in any sense recruited into the Civil Defence forces, nor will they incur obligations of any kind. My Lords, I commend these Regulations to your Lordships.