HC Deb 08 July 1965 vol 715 cc283-4W
18. Mr. Hugh Jenkins

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what consideration Her Majesty's Government are giving, in their review of the civil defence preparations mentioned in paragraph 200 of the Statement on the Defence Estimates 1965, to the possibility of changing the name of the Civil Defence Corps.

Sir F. Soskice

I regret that I cannot anticipate the outcome of the review.

23 and 24. Mr. Hamling

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) what has been the cost of Civil Defence in each of the last five years; and what steps he is taking to reduce this expenditure;

(2) what decision he has taken on the future of Civil Defence; and whether he will make a statement.

Sir F. Sockice

In 1960–61 expenditure on home defence by Civil departments in Great Britain was £15 million. In the next three years it was £17, £19 and £21 million respectively. The estimate for 1964–65 was £24 million and in the current year it is £23 million. As announced in the Statement on the Defence Estimates, 1965, the form of our civil defence preparations is being reviewed in the light of the Government's general reconsideration of defence. This review has not yet been completed, and at this stage it is not possible for me to say what the outcome, or the future level of home defence expenditure, will be.

34. Mr. Philip Noel-Baker

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he will lay a Command Paper before the House setting forth the principles upon which his policy in respect of civil defence is based, with special regard to the provision of deep shelters, the evacuation of cities and towns, and the protection of persons in rural areas against radioactive fall-out.

Sir F. Sockice

As stated in paragraph 200 of the Statement on the Defence Estimates, 1965, the form of our Civil Defence preparations in the years ahead is being reviewed in the light of the Government's general reconsideration of defence. Pending the outcome of that review I cannot usefully make any further statement.

41. Mr. Woodhouse

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he will authorise the replacement of the present uniform of the Civil Defence Corps with a new uniform more suited to the dignity and character of its services to the public.

Sir F. Soskice

I regret that I cannot authorise the issue of a new uniform, which would be a costly undertaking, at the present time.

42. Mr. Woodhouse

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what would be the estimated cost of issuing shirts, collars and ties to all members of the Civil Defence Corps as part of their uniform.

Sir F. Soskice

The cost of an initial issue of shirts, collars and ties to all members of the Civil Defence Corps would be about £320,000.