§ Mr. N. Bowerasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many local authorities have now acted on the recommendation of the Ministry of Home Security that they should appoint welfare officers to their Civil Defence services; how many have failed to do so; and if he will send a further reminder to the latter of the desirability of appointing welfare officers as soon as possible.
§ Mr. H. MorrisonI am afraid I have no precise figures showing how many local authorities have acted on this recommendation. The information which I have indicates that the response has varied as between different Regions and different local authorities. In view of the large reductions which are now being made in the Civil Defence Services I do not feel that it would serve any useful purpose to send a reminder to local authorities at this stage of the war.