Written Answers To Questions
Friday, 17th October, 1952
Civil Defence Recruitment (Advisory Committee)
asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he can now make a statement about the composition and terms of reference of the Advisory Committee on Civil Defence Recruitment.
I am glad to inform the House that the following have accepted invitations from my right hon. Friends the Secretary of State for Scotland, the Minister of Health and myself to serve on this Committee under the Chairmanship of Mr. William Mabane:
- The Lord Burnham, C.B., D.S.O., M.C., T.D.
- Mr. Alastair Dunnett.
- Mr. Lincoln Evans, C.B.E.
- Mr. Geoffrey de Freitas, M.P.
- Mr. W. E. Gerrish, O.B.E.
- Miss B. Anne Godwin.
- Mr. Ian Harvey, T.D., M.P.
- Mr. G. R. K. Lee.
- Mr. A. T. Morrison, C.B.E., J.P
- Alderman F. A. Parish, C.B.E.
- Alderman Norman Prichard, J.P.
- The Dowager Marchioness of Reading, G.B.E.
- Mr. A. M. Struthers, O.B.E.
- Sir Miles Thomas, D.F.C.
- Mr. G. A. Wheatley.
"To consider and make recommendations with due regard to the importance of economy in public expenditure on the following questions:—(1) What measures should be taken to improve recruitment for the Civil Defence Corps, the Auxiliary Fire Service, the Special Constabulary and the National Hospital Service Reserve. (2) What information and guidance should be given to the public as to the steps which they should take in the event of war."
The Committee held its first meeting on 31st July, and I understand that it hopes to present an interim report in November.
British Army
Overseas Stations (Service Men's Families)
asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware of the confusion and uncertainty at present surrounding the policy of his Department regarding the entitlement of officers and other ranks to be joined by their families while serving overseas; and whether he will make a statement.
I think that under normal conditions regulations are clear and generally understood. Under cold war conditions a number of special problems arise and an unusual amount of family separation becomes unavoidable. Any Regular soldier serving overseas in a station to which families can go may, if qualified by age, be joined by his family at the public expense provided that the man is on a tour of one year or more, that his family may reasonably expect to be with him for at least nine months and that suitable accommodation is available. I well know that the last provision is generally the ruling factor, particularly in the Canal Zone under present circumstances. Where, however, there is a shortage of quarters and private accommodation is expensive a special allowance is given to those who find their own.
War Department Employees (Representations)
asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is satisfied with the present system of determining promotions, wage rates and conditions of service for War Department civilian industrial employees; what provision is made for hearing individual complaints on these subjects by such employees; and whether he will carry out an investigation of the existing system, with a view to making its operation more equitable and efficient.
I think that these arrangements, which have been agreed between my Department and the trade unions concerned, are satisfactory and that no special investigation is needed.These employees may make representations to the head of the establishment on matters of local significance arising out of their employment either through the representative of their trade union direct or through the local Whitley Committee if such a committee exists: or, on questions affecting them as individuals, through their immediate superiors. Representations of a general kind, involving the wage rates or conditions of service of a grade or class as a whole, are not dealt with locally: recognised trade unions may raise these matters directly with the War Office or through the appropriate negotiating machinery.