§ Mr. Bestasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what monitoring he carries out as to local authorities' plans for home defence; if he is satisfied with these plans and local authorities' preparedness; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. WhitelawMy Department's scrutiny of the payment of specific grant-in-aid affords some appraisal of the performance of duties under the Civil Defence (Planning) Regulations 1974, and there is considerable informal contact between my officials and local authority staffs responsible for home defence planning. I am satisfied that progress is being made in most areas in improving local preparedness. The current review of home defence arrangements includes the vital contribution made by local government.