HC Deb 05 October 1939 vol 351 cc2108-9W
Colonel Wedgwood

asked the Home Secretary whether he has progress to report concerning the reduction of the salaried personnel employed in Civilian Defence?

Sir J. Anderson

I have been giving close attention to the problem of adapting the organisation of civil defence personnel to meet present conditions. In the case of the Auxiliary Fire Service, a memorandum has already been issued to fire authorities throughout England and Wales, indicating the principles on which they should proceed to determine their appropriate war establishment of whole-time paid personnel, and I expect that reorganisation on the lines proposed will result in considerable reductions of cost.

On the side of the A.R.P. General Services, I have been in communication with the Regional Commissioners with a view to obtaining the benefit of their knowledge of local conditions in reviewing our requirements. The variety of the services concerned presents a complex problem, but I am now framing definite directions for the guidance of authorities in settling their establishments of whole-time personnel so as to reduce, so far as practicable, the burden on public funds, while maintaining everywhere a civil defence organisation adequate to the needs of the locality. These directions will be issued to the authorities at an early date.

Mr. Harold Macmillan

asked the Home Secretary on what date the local authorities were asked to furnish particulars of the number of persons on their pay-roll and the amounts paid to them in connection with Civilian Defence; whether these particulars are now available; and, if so, whether he can state the estimated annual cost involved?

Sir J. Anderson

Local authorities were asked to furnish these particulars on various dates between the 15th and 23rd September. Only about a quarter of the returns have so far been received, and, apart from the fact that establishments are now in process of revision, it would not be possible, on the basis of these figures, to make an estimate of the total expediture involved.

Captain Plugge

asked the Home Secretary whether his Department instructs local authorities that where paid personnel is required, in the case of women, wives of serving soldiers should have preference, and, in the case of men, that the British Legion should be approached to submit names of suitable men?

Sir J. Anderson

No specific instructions have been issued by my Department to local authorities with regard to particular categories of volunteers, whether men or women, who should be given preference in appointment to whole-time paid posts in the Civil Defence services. Preference is, no doubt, very properly given to volunteers already enrolled who have completed their training. I understand that members of the British Legion have volunteered in large numbers for Civil Defence duties.