'MERCY SCHEME’

Press, Volume CII, Issue 30107, 16 April 1963, Page 11

'MERCY SCHEME’

R.S.G. Plan Outlined

iN.Z.P.A .-Reuter—Copyright I LONDON. April 15.

The 12 secret underground redoubts described in the “Spies for Peace" pamphlets are said tc be the headquarters of Britain’s "mercy plan" to save up to 45,000.000 per sons after a nuclear attack, the “Daily Mail" reported. The bunkers, called R.S.G.’s (regional seats of government). were sited in areas where a hydrogen bomb attack was or had been least likely The plan was that at leasl some would survive to govern the country after a nucleai attack. Each of the 12 centres woulo have a “big leader.” virtually prime minister of an area covering several counties He and hi. “cabinet," in charge of food, transport, police communications, electricity and water, would be ready to take over at once if central Government in London and the big cities was destroyed But the first job of the R.S G s—even as the bombs fell—would be to chart the course of lethal fall-out clouds and warn people in ’heir paths The next would be to reorganise food, water and essential supplies, the “Daily Mail' said Above all. it would be the task of the R.S G.'s to take over the leadership of the country and stop panic and mob rule

The newspaper quoted an official as saying: “This leak can only be malicious. The glans are not for making war. ut only for saving lives when wa. has already broken out."

Vatican Stamps.— The Vatican will issue special stamps on May 8 to commemorate the recent award in Switerland of the Balzan Peace Prize to Pope John.—Vatican City, April 15.