§ Mr. Gwynfor Evansasked the Secretary of State for Defence how many persons were employed by the Army, the Royal Navy and the Royal Air Force in civil, non-military work in 1958, 1968 and 1978, respectively.
§ Dr. GilbertThe Ministry of Defence does not maintain a comprehensive central record of all assistance provided by the Armed Forces under the various programmes of military aid to civil authorities. The activities carried out under these arrangements are extensive and can range from major flood relief to the attachment of a single Service man or woman to a voluntary organisation. It is unlikely that any records would remain extant of particular tasks undertaken in 1958, and, in the time available, it has not been possible to provide information for 1968 and 1978 respectively. The largest Service task during 1978 was assistance to the Home Office in maintaining essential fire cover throughout the country, which began in November 1977 and lasted for nine weeks. At the peak, some 20,000 Service men were engaged on this task.