asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many Civil Defence Cadet Corps are now in existence; and what steps he is taking actively to promote them?

I am aware of six bodies of this kind. Two of these were given official encouragement, but, since then, arrangements have been concluded with the Admiralty, the War Office and the Air Ministry whereby members of the Sea Cadet Corps, the Army Cadet Force and Junior Training Corps, and the Air Training Corps, are encouraged to undertake part-time Civil Defence duty, and this is felt to be preferable to the formation of further bodies which might compete with those organisations in the matter of recruitment.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that this is all wrong, that there are at least 40 per cent. of these young people in no organisation, that there is no competition with the other three bodies and that here is an opportunity for a first-class organisation growing up all over the country? Will he reconsider his answer?

No, Sir, I do not think that would be wise. The circumstances of Civil Defence are very different from those of the Service Departments, which have been very co-operative. It would involve needless overlapping and competition if I were to start a fourth Cadet Corps. I think the arrangements we have made are the best way of handling the problem.

Is the Minister aware that he is damming up the enthusiasm of hundreds of thousands of young people, who are readily forming themselves into these corps and are drilling and carrying on practical Civil Defence work? There is no competition. We want, not one youth organisation in this country, but half-a-dozen. What does the right hon. Gentleman mean by his answer?

I have said what I mean, and I cannot say more than that.

Is the Minister not aware that a great number of lads in London have been helping Civil Defence units and that they feel rather disheartened at having to divert their energies to other organisations?

I have not said that my Department will not allow lads to go into Civil Defence. On the contrary, these lads come in. The question is whether we should run a national drive to set up a national organisation for a limited purpose. Most of the work of National Defence must be done by adult persons, and we have not the carry-over which the Service Departments have in their organisations. I am not refusing to accept the services of young people, but I do not think it will be wise to set up a further organisation competitive with the Service Departments.

In view of the unsatisfactory nature of the reply, I beg to give notice that I will raise the matter again at an early opportunity.

asked the Home Secretary whether he will give an assurance that friendly Austrians in this country are, at least, as well treated as friendly neutrals in respect of exemption from curfew, duty to notify any change of address, possession of bicycles, motor vehicles and similar matters?

As I have previously explained to my hon. Friend, exemption from the special restrictions applicable to aliens of enemy nationality is granted to Austrians who satisfy me that they are wholeheartedly sympathetic with the Allied cause and willing to assist in our war effort. Such exemption places them in the same position as friendly neutrals in respect of the matters mentioned in the Question.

Is the Minister aware that it does not always work out in practice on those lines? Will he be good enough to give the widest publicity to the statement which he has just made?

I will do my best. If there are any individual cases I shall be happy to look into them.

Will the Minister extend this also to friendly Germans who are known to be equally reliable?

I think so, Sir. They are in the same category.

asked the Home Secretary whether he will give an assurance that, in sending National Fire Service representatives to India and elsewhere for training and administrative purposes, the greatest care for their selection for such responsible tasks will be taken; and whether he has, or will, issue instructions accordingly?

Yes, Sir; the utmost care is and will continue to be exercised in making such selections.

While thanking my right hon. Friend for his answer, may I ask whether he is aware that, out of four successful candidates in one area, two were officers who had been demoted, one twice, and one had failed to qualify? Will he make these facts the basis of inquiry in order that there should not be in the N.F.S. the Army practice of getting rid in this way of undesirable and inefficient personnel?

The last point put by the hon. and gallant Member is unfair and untrue in its implication. If there are any cases of the selection of inefficient personnel, I shall be glad to look into them. Naturally, we have to take a number of factors into account.

Will the Minister give consideration, in regard to Indians, to the fact that the best is only just good enough, because these men are subject to very strict scrutiny, and their reputation depends very much upon whether they do their duty or not?

I am keeping that point in mind. I am naturally anxious to give what help I can to India, but I must consider the needs of this country too.

If I give names to the right hon. Gentleman, will he make inquiry?

Yes, Sir.