§ Mr. Hugh Jenkinsasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether, having regard to the substantial work currently being carried out in major industrial accidents by the Civil Defence Corps, he will review it with a view to redefining its functions and 280W renaming it the Civil Emergency Service; and whether, in considering the matter, he will take account of the fact that the London County Council has acknowledged that there is no practicable means of providing Londoners with effective defence against thermo-nuclear war.
§ Mr. George ThomasMembers of the Civil Defence Corps have given valuable service in peacetime emergencies, but the primary purpose of the Corps is that of saving life and relieving suffering in the event of an attack on this country with nuclear weapons. My right hon. Friend is not therefore convinced that a change of name is called for.
The task of the Corps, and the object of civil defence preparations generally, is to mitigate the effects of a nuclear attack. This is generally recognised and my right hon. Friend does not interpret the London County Council's resolution of 3rd October, 1961, to which my hon. Friend may refer, as being in any way inconsistent with this view.