asked the Minister for Defence what steps are being taken to provide public shelters in cities and towns against nuclear fall-out and radiation.

The provision of special purpose built public shelters for the protection of the public against the hazard of radiation from fall-out is not contemplated. It is, however, intended to carry out a pilot survey of certain large buildings with the co-operation of the owners, with a view to ascertaining whether it would be practicable to utilise buildings of this character for refuge from such a hazard.

I wonder if the Minister could say when he hopes to have this survey completed and be in a position to announce the possibility of having such shelters provided?

I cannot say when it will be completed but I hope to have it commenced before the end of this year.

I trust the Minister will appreciate that the good effect of the recent booklet issued by his Department may be undone if his own Department does not show the sense of urgency that they have been asking private householders to display in the matter.

I am taking all the steps open to me in this matter. It is considered that a substantial amount of shelter space is available in cities and towns but to assess the full prospects of its utilisation, a survey would be necessary. What is contemplated is a pilot survey and we intend to have a national survey if the pilot survey proves that a national survey would be feasible.

Why wait until the end of the year? Why not have it done immediately?

We have to have the personnel.

It is the same way as the telephone situation was dealt with.