§ Mr. Hastingsasked the Secretary of State for Defence whether he will describe the training at present being undertaken for civil defence; how many people are engaged on it; what it costs; and whether he considers it to be adequate in present circumstances and in view of the Soviet expenditure and preparations at present being carried out in this field.
§ Mr. William RodgersIn time of war troops would be involved in civil and 25W home defence tasks such as the guarding of key installations, the prevention of sabotage, and military aid to the civil power. Regular troops receive all the training required for these tasks as part of their normal training programme.
It is not possible to identify the numbers of people engaged in, or the cost of, training devoted to specific civil defence tasks, but I am satisfied that the preparation of our forces is adequate for the purpose.
More general aspects of civil defence are the responsibility of my right hon. Friend the Home Secretary.