HC Deb 22 July 1954 vol 530 cc151-2W
103. Mr. G. Thomas

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what estimate he has made of the number of Civil Defence workers he would require to deal with hydrogen-bomb warfare.

Sir D. Maxwell Fyfe

This is not a problem which is susceptible of arithmetical solution. I prefer to deal with it on the more practical lines of making a start with the organisation and training of the numbers which can be made available on a voluntary basis with a view to part-time service in war or under the provisions of the Civil Defence (Armed Forces) Bill with a view to whole-time service, and to make plans for the greatest possible measure of expansion to enable larger numbers to be absorbed later if necessary.