§ Mr. Wadeasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is the authorised establishment of the Civil Defence services; what was the actual strength in 1955–56; and what is the strength today.
§ Mr. R. A. ButlerThere is no authorised establishment for these services. All volunteers who satisfy the relevant conditions of eligibility can be accepted. The actual strengths in Great Britain at 31st December, 1955, 1956 and 1960 were as follows:
—— 1955 1956 1960 Civil Defence Corps 371,670 354,300 359,660 Auxiliary Fire Ser vice 21,290 20,558 19,825 National Hospital Service Reserve 50,495 52,191 68,913 Industrial Civil Defence Service 206,026 209,539 186,630 TOTALS 649,481 636,588 635,028