"WISE TO BE READY"

Evening Post, Volume CXXXIV, Issue 64, 12 September 1942, Page 8

"WISE TO BE READY"

EVACUATION SYSTEM

"Although evacuation of any area is deemed to be a remote possibility, the authorities have acted on the principle that it is wise to be ready for any emergency," states the Minister of Civil Defence (Mr. Bodkin). To correct misunderstandings, the Minister outlined preparations that have been made. These include arrangements for accommodation and supplies of food and other necessaries. Dispersal of people, said Mr. Bodkin, was a limited or temporary movement •of people, under proper control and guidance, from raided or threatened areas to shelter areas, dispersal areas, or individual shelters. Evacuation was the definite removal of people from their homes from whole areas and the provision of temporary accommodation elsewhere. At present it was not envisaged that country towns and districts would be subject to evacuation orders, but rather were to be regarded as reception areas for evacuees from vulnerable localities.

Residents of urban and rural districts could be assured that every aspect of dispersal and evacuation had been carefully considered and that appropriate action had been taken. They would only be carried out when ordered by the military authorities and would largely be under military control. During any evacuation the Army Provost Corps would direct military movements and would control all traffic in any area, which was entirely under military jurisdiction. In these functions the Provost Companies might be assisted by the Traffic Control Corps of the Home Guard or by the police; The Traffic Control Corps would clear any routes required for the military or for mass civilian movement. The civil police, assisted^ by the E.P.S. law and order unit, which was under police control, would have complete charge of traffic in the larger centres. In the smaller towns the senior police officer was responsible for control except on the main routes.