Squadron-Leader Robinsonasked the Home Secretary whether he is aware that the Blackpool Corporation's part-time 2098W rescue service was performed by employees of the corporation's highways department in addition to their ordinary Juties from 1939 until 5th November, 1941, resulting in a great saving of man-power by avoiding the use of full-time paid rescue workers; that the total cost was £2,788 instead of about £10,000, which full-time workers would have cost; and whether he will arrange for an independent inquiry into his department's refusal to reimburse the council this expenditure which resulted in a net saving to local and national funds of about £7,000, whilst producing admittedly efficient results.
§ Mr. H. MorrisonNo further inquiry into the facts of this case which involved payment for part-time duty, at the full Civil Defence rate, to men in receipt of their ordinary wages, would serve any useful purpose. The acceptance of this principle would have a contrary effect to that suggested by my hon. and gallant Friend.