HC Deb 20 November 1957 vol 578 cc49-50W
94. Mr. Bence

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what progress is being made in recruitment to the Civil Defence Corps; and what steps he is taking to step up recruitment.

Mr. R. A. Butler

On 31st October, 1957, the strength of the Civil Defence Corps in Great Britain was 357,666. This was 4,485 more than twelve months before. During the twelve months an estimated total of nearly 51,000 recruits was obtained, but most of this increase was offset by losses due mainly to the weeding out of inactive members. Recruitment is the responsibility of the local authorities charged with raising divisions of the corps. They are given all possible assistance by my Department and the Scottish Home Department, and a national publicity and recruitment campaign has just been held.