HC Deb 15 February 1968 vol 758 cc389-91W
30. Mr. Mawby

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what study he has made of the time it will take to reactivate the Civil Defence control system from the start of a national emergency.

Mr. Eanals:

The existing buildings and communications in the control system could be reactivated fairly quickly. Measures involving the training of large numbers of volunteers would require several months' preparations.

35. Mr. Goodhart

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department by what date he intends to complete the proposed reduction of Civil Defence to a care and maintenance status.

Mr. Ennals:

Substantial reductions will be made by September, 1968, and the changes should be completed by 31st March, 1969.

46. Mr. Grieve

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what representations he has received from the Civil Defence organisation against his decision to put the organisation on a care and maintenance basis; and whether having regard to such representations he will now reconsider his decision.

Mr. Ennals:

My right hon. Friend has received a number of representations from authorities and organisations concerned with civil defence and from individual members of the voluntary services, but he sees no grounds for departing from the decision announced by my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister on 16th January.

56. Rear-Admiral Morgan Giles

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what arrangements he is making for the transfer of Civil Defence officers or to compensate them for the loss of their careers.

Mr. Ennals:

It is for the local authorities concerned to decide the extent to which redundant civil defence staff can be transferred to other local authority work. I am sure that they will do what they can; but a provision in the Public Expenditure and Receipts Bill will, if approved, enable my right hon. Friend to provide by regulation for compensation to those who lose their jobs or suffer a reduction in their emoluments.

58. Mr. Ronald Bell

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many letters he has received from members of the Civil Defence Corps and the Auxiliary Fire Service offering to continue to serve without bounty or expenses; and what answer he has sent to such offers.

Mr. Ennals:

My right hon. Friend has received about 100 letters from individuals and groups in these two services offering specifically to continue training without bounty or other expenses. He is most grateful for these offers but in acknowledging them he has felt bound to point out that the total amount which would be saved by the sacrifice of bounty and other payments is only a small part of the cost of these services.

60. Mr. Robert L. Howarth

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if, before disbanding the Auxiliary Fire Service, he will inquire of local authorities if they would be prepared to support the maintenance of this service by the provision of limited facilities and finance.

Mr. Ennals:

No. Disbandment of the Auxiliary Fire Service is unavoidable if the necessary savings in Home Defence expenditure are to be achieved. There is no half-way house.

61. Sir Knox Cunningham

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans he has made for the protection of the civil population in the United Kingdom in the event of war after the abolition of the Civil Defence Corps; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Ennals:

The Warning and Monitoring Organisation, and plans for giving advice to the public, will be maintained and physical assets are being preserved. Local authorities and essential services will continue sufficient planning to enable them to resume active preparations.