§ Sir G. Foxasked the Home Secretary the numbers of paid personnel connected with air-raid precautions work who have been retrenched since Christmas in each of the different regional areas; whether efforts are still being made to reduce the numbers in question; and what steps are being taken to increase the numbers of voluntary personnel?
§ Sir J. AndersonReturns called for from local authorities giving the number of paid personnel as at the end of January are not yet complete. In the meantime, however, reductions are being made systematically wherever the detailed surveys that have been for some time in progress show that these are justified, according to the revised standards laid down. It rests with local authorities to take the necessary steps to make up any deficiencies in part-time personnel whether due to reduction in whole-time establishments or to other causes.