54.
asked the Home Secretary what is the estimated weekly cost to the local authorities and Government combined of those employed to stand by in case of air raids, including wardens, firemen, supplementaries, reserves, first aids, ambulance and motor-car drivers, &c; and whether he is taking any and, if so, what steps to reduce this expenditure and to set free the motor cars which have been requisitioned?
As stated on 21st September in reply to a question by the hon. Member for Stockton-on-Tees (Mr. Harold Macmillan), local authorities have been asked to furnish particulars of whole-time volunteeers enrolled for Civil Defence purposes at present on their pay rolls. These returns are now being received, but it is not yet possible to give a reliable estimate of the total cost. With regard to the second part of the question, steps have been taken in a number of areas to reduce the whole-time paid personnel originally called up, in so far as this can be done without impairing the efficiency of the services or their readiness for action. The whole question of the adjustment of our Civil Defence organisation to war conditions is receiving the closest attention. Action has also been taken to notify local authorities that vehicles needed for ordinary transport should not be kept standing idle in the Civil Defence services. I hope it will be found that a considerable number of vehicles may be released under arrangements which will leave them readily available to the local authorities if air raids come.
Will the right hon. Gentleman say in what areas the expenses are being cut down, and, in particular, whether Staffordshire is one of those areas?
I cannot give a specific reply on the spur of the moment. The facts are being ascertained for the whole country, and, on the basis of the facts, such reductions as are possible, consistent with maintaining a constant state of readiness, will be effected.
Is my right hon. Friend asking the local authorities themselves to make recommendations as to the extent to which personnel can be cut down?
The local authorities will be given general guidance and will be asked to take such steps as may be possible to give effect to the standards laid down.
:Will the Home Secretary see that the adjustments to which he referred in his answer are effected at the earliest possible moment, in view of the urgent necessity for economy?
In this matter, economy has never been the only consideration.