HC Deb 01 February 1951 vol 483 cc137-8W
96. Mr. Osborne

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is the latest total for Civil Defence volunteers; how many are required; and if he will make a statement on the position.

Mr. de Freitas

At the end of December the number of volunteers in England and Wales was approximately: 99,000 in the Civil Defence Corps, 8,000 in the Auxiliary Fire Service and 10,000 in the National Hospital Service Reserve, making a total of about 117,000. The number enrolled in the Corps represents between one-quarter and one-fifth of the aggregate provisional peace-time establishments of the local divisions of that Service. The immediate recruiting target for the Auxiliary Fire Service in England and Wales is approximately 60,000 auxiliaries and for the National Hospital Service Reserve about 30,000 members. Recruits are therefore urgently required now for all Services, particularly the Auxiliary Fire Service.