§ Q9. Mr. Martenasked the Prime Minister what steps he proposes to take to co-ordinate the work of Departmental Ministers so as to provide the British people with an organised civilian force to cope with national physical disasters.
§ The Prime MinisterAdequate arrangements already exist for coordinating the work of Departmental Ministers. As to the hon. Member's suggestion, not only would it be difficult to justify expenditure on a force kept in being solely to deal with national physical disasters but, as he will know, existing voluntary bodies and the regular national and local services provide substantial resources for deployment in a disaster situation.