HL Deb 27 March 1968 vol 290 cc996-7
THE EARL OF CORK AND ORRERY

My Lords, I beg leave to ask the Question which stands in my name on the Order Paper.

[The Question was as follows:

To ask Her Majesty's Government what is their estimate of the time needed to restore Civil Defence to a state of readiness for war, if the decision to do so should be taken:

  1. (a) Now;
  2. (b) In three months' time;
  3. (c) In six months' time;
  4. (d) In a year's time.]

THE MINISTER OF STATE, HOME OFFICE (LORD STONHAM)

My Lords, the time required to restore Civil Defence to its present state of readiness would depend on many factors, including the urgency of the need and the climate of opinion then existing. Once the voluntary services have been disbanded, the recall of existing trained members, the reestablishment of their formations and the re-issue of equipment would take some weeks; and as time goes on, this period will lengthen. Other Civil Defence measures could be resumed more quickly. I do not think the period required would differ significantly within the time scale to which the Question relates.

THE EARL OF CORK AND ORRERY

My Lords, I thank the noble Lord for his disconcerting Answer. May I ask whether he has consulted the chief civil defence officers in the counties as to what their opinions would be in relation to the Answer to my Question? If so, what is the consensus of their opinions? If they have not been asked, why not?

LORD STONHAM

My Lords, we have had a number of consultations with the local authority associations whose members are employers of the chief civil defence officers of the counties and we are fully aware of their views on this matter.

THE EARL OF CORK AND ORRERY

My Lords, does the noble Lord appreciate that many people would infer that the intention to disband the Civil Defence Corps and the Auxiliary Fire Service has been taken without due consideration of the risks involved?

LORD STONHAM

My Lords, we have had full consideration of the risks involved in this decision. This is one of the most important matters which we shall be debating in a few minutes' time on the Motion to be moved by the noble Earl, Lord Jellicoe.

LORD PARGITER

My Lords, would not my noble friend agree that the local authority associations are dissatisfied with the position simply with respect to the financial provisions? Will not the Government reconsider the whole question of the relatively small amount of money required to keep some basic organisation going?

LORD STONHAM

My Lords, the disagreement with the local authorities' associations, so far as it exists, is on a comparatively narrow front in respect to the inadequacy of the sum of £1 million which it is proposed to find from Treasury funds for their continuing functions under Civil Defence. This is one of the matters which is still under consideration with them.