§ Sir G. JONESasked the Secretary of State for War whether, with a view to protecting London against the possibility of aerial attack, he will consider the advisability of forming a volunteer corps to be adequately trained in searchlight practice, decontamination of the air, and anti-aircraft guns?
Mr. COOPERThe ground defences of London against air attack are already in the hands of a voluntary organisation, namely, the anti-aircraft gun and searchlight units of the Territorial Army in the London area, and provided recruiting improves to an extent which will bring those units up to establishment, I do not think there will be any need for an ancillary organisation of the kind suggested by my hon. Friend. Arrangements for decontamination of streets and buildings are, I understand, already in process of being 213W organised by local authorities under the guidance of the Air Raids Precaution Department of the Home Office.