CIVIL DEFENCE CORPS

Mr Lee Choon Eng asked the Chief Secretary (a) what is the present strength of the Civil Defence Corps under the following classifications: - (i) Reserves; (ii) Volunteers in training; (iii) National Service Men; (b) whether he is aware that there is considerable dissatisfaction prevailing among the men of the Corps and potential recruits as regards administration, promotion and training; and (c) whether he will take all necessary steps to re-establish the pre-war esprit de corps in the present Civil Defence Corps.

Mr W. A. C. Goode: Answer to part (a), Sir. The present strength of the Civil Defence Corps under the classifications mentioned is as follows:

Reserves - 736. These are volunteers who have completed two years' service on the active list.

Volunteers in training - 135 on the active list carrying out training service, and 736 on the Reserve list carrying out reserve training.

National Service Men - 1,145.

I am not aware of dissatisfaction prevailing among the men or the women of the Corps, or potential recruits, but if the hon. Member will give me specific instances of the dissatisfaction said to be prevalent, I will see that these are investigated forthwith.

Every effort is being made to establish a high esprit de corps in the present Civil Defence Services. I do not subscribe to the implication that the present Corps is inferior to the pre-war Corps in this respect.

Mr Lee Choon Eng: Mr Speaker, Sir, can the Chief Secretary please tell this Assembly why is the strength of the Volunteers in active training so small?

Mr Goode: I should like notice of that question, Sir. The strength of the Volunteers naturally depends from time to time on the number who join, and I think it may be that the large intake of National Service men may have had some effect on the numbers of Volunteers joining.

Mr Lee Choon Eng: Mr Speaker, Sir, according to a report I have just received, it says that a Volunteer is required to carry out a maximum of 60 hours' training per annum for a period of two years. This means that a Volunteer has only a training -

Mr Speaker: Order, please, Mr Lee Choon Eng. Please ask a supplementary question and do not make a statement.

Mr Lee Choon Eng: Mr Speaker, Sir, I am asking a question.

Mr Speaker: Carry on, Mr Lee Choon Eng.

Mr Lee Choon Eng: This means that a Volunteer has got only five hours' training a month. Is it the opinion of the Chief Secretary that five hours' training a month is sufficient to qualify a Volunteer?

Mr Speaker: That is not within the terms of the original question, Mr Lee Choon Eng.