§ Mr. Neil Thorneasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he plans to announce the results of the recent open competitions for two civil defence posts in his Department.
§ Mr. BrittanI am glad to announce that the competitions for the posts, have both been concluded successfully.
Following a competition conducted by the Civil Service Commission, I have approved the appointment of Brigadier John Bryan Bettridge, at present commandant of the Royal School of Artillery, Larkhill, to the vacant post of principal of the Civil Defence college, Easingwold. He will take up the position in the autumn and, from their 74W retirement later this year, assume responsibility also for the work of the co-ordinators of voluntary effort in civil defence in England and Wales, and in Scotland, respectively. The combination of these posts will enable Brigadier Bettridge to draw upon the resources of the college in carrying out his work as co-ordinator of voluntary effort. In recognition of the importance of this work, the principal's post has been upgraded to grade 5—assistant secretary—level.
In the case of the competition for the new post of civil defence adviser to my Department, Mr. Eric Alley, county emergency planning officer of the Humberside county council, has been successful and will also take up the position in the autumn. His task will be to advise generally on the work of local authority emergency planning, with particular reference to the Civil Defence regulations approved by Parliament last December.
These appointments are designed to strengthen the organisation and effectiveness of civil defence in this country.