HC Deb 22 February 1968 vol 759 cc168-9W
56. Sir T. Beamish

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is his estimate of the time it would take fully to mobilise the nation's civil defence structure, including T and AVR III, in 1970 at its present state of training and its present strength, on the assumption that the plans to dismantle it have been carried out in full by then.

Mr. Ennals

The recruitment and training of large numbers of volunteers would take several months. Other elements of the civil defence structure could be brought to a state of readiness much more rapidly.

57. Sir T. Beamish

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what assumption he has now made of the likely length of the warning period before the launching of a large-scale conventional or nuclear attack on this country; and how this differs from his assumption on which the reorganisation of the nation's civil defences was based before last October.

Mr. Ennals

It is not expected that a large-scale attack would be launched on this country without being preceded by a period of increased international tension, though the length of this is speculative. The risk of attack has gradually diminished in recent years.

Mr. David Howell

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he will continue to make available to Civil Defence Corps voluntary workers training media and equipment where no additional cost to the Government is involved.

Mr. Ennals

Any such proposals will be considered in the course of the present discussions with the local authority Associations about the disposal of equipment and other facilities.

Mr. Lomas

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is to be the future use of the purpose-built civil defence headquarters in Huddersfield.

Mr. Ennals

The civil defence control will be retained on a "care and maintenance" basis. Possible future uses for the remainder of the building, which was designed as training premises for the Civil Defence Corps, will be discussed with the local authority.

Mr. Lomas

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department, if he will allow the purpose-built headquarters of the civil defence in Huddersfield to be used as a centre of training for personnel within the area, in view of the valuable work done by civil defence personnel in fields other than war.

Mr. Ennals

I am willing to consider any proposals which the local authority put forward.