HC Deb 24 March 1942 vol 378 cc1812-22
Mr. Lipson by Private Notice

asked the Prime Minister whether he is able to make a statement on the work which will fall to the civil population in the event of invasion?

The Lord President of the Council (Sir John Anderson)

I have been asked to reply, and with your permission, Mr. Speaker, I propose to circulate in the OFFICIAL REPORT a full statement on the important matter raised in my hon. Friend's Question, and to give now a summary of that statement.

If invasion is attempted, there will be one thought only in the mind of everyone in this country: to drive out or destroy the enemy. Everyone will want to do all he can to contribute to this end The first essential is that, except under definite orders, everyone should "stand firm," so as to avoid those refugee movements which proved so disastrous in the Battle of France. But this does not mean that the civil population must adopt a purely passive role. On the contrary, the Government have always expected that the people of these Islands will offer a united opposition to an invader and that every citizen will regard it as his duty to hinder and frustrate the enemy by every means which ingenuity can devise and common sense suggest.

Those who are physically fit will want to fight; but to do so effectively they must be organised and armed. The unorganised individual fighter represents an uneconomic use of men and weapons. All fit men who can find the time for the necessary training ought therefore to join the Home Guard. At a later stage it may be practicable to include in the Home Guard under special conditions men who are anxious to fight but cannot find the time for the amount of training now required. This cannot be arranged yet. But meanwhile there are many ways in which these and others can help, short of actual fighting.

In many parts of the country invasion committees have been set up. There is, of course, a wide difference in the importance and vulnerability of different parts of the country, and it would be unwise and unnecessary to adopt identical measures everywhere; but these committees are being set up in all areas where such measures are necessary. The duty of the committees is to survey their local problems, and to consider what might be their needs if fighting reached their district, how these needs can be met and how the civil and military authorities can best help each other.

There are countless ways in which the help of civilians outside the organised services will be needed. In cooking and distributing food, for example, filling craters and shell-holes to enable military vehicles to pass, digging trenches, providing billets for troops moving in, or for neighbours bombed or shelled out. In a village or small town the invasion committee will be able to allot specific jobs to particular individuals; and most of the able-bodied inhabitants will know in advance what their role will be. In larger towns the problem will have to be tackled on somewhat different lines. But the committee will be responsible for seeing that all needs are thought out in advance and that the town is organised to cope with them as they arise. In these ways civilians can play their part in the task of defeating the invader. Those who make it their business to think out beforehand, in concert with the military, the tasks that lie to hand, to provide the resources and practise the methods to fulfil them will be contributing materially to the success of our Forces.

But I want to emphasise that this is primarily a local problem, and those who want to help must rely largely on their own initiative rather than look always to higher authority for detailed direction. General directions can be and have been given by the Government and by Regional Commissioners, bu neither can prescribe in detail all that must be done. The problem in any particular village or town must be resolved by those on the spot who know and understand local conditions and are possessed of full information about the local resources in men and materials. If, in concert with the soldiers, they will use their foresight and their British common sense now, I have no doubt we shall be ready to meet any emergency when it arises.

To sum up, there are three broad principles which we should all bear in mind. All of our people must do everything they can to help each other. No one must do anything which would be of the slightest help to the enemy. And, lastly, all have a right and duty to do everything they usefully can under responsible direction to defend their hearths and homes and their native land.

Sir P. Harris

Can my right hon. Friend say whether the committees to which he refers have been formed in all towns and villages, and, if not, would it not be wise to organise them at once?

Sir J. Anderson

They are in existence over a large part of the country, and, in conjunction with the military authorities, they will be extended wherever it is thought that they can serve a useful purpose.

Mr. Lipson

Arising out of the statement, which will be welcomed by the people of the country, may I ask my right hon. Friend whether it is proposed that the names of these local committees which have been formed shall be published in the near future, so that the people in the vicinity may know; and is it proposed to invite Members of Parliament to cooperate with the invasion committees in their own constituencies?

Sir J. Anderson

Yes, Sir, the names of the members of these committees will be made known locally in each locality, and the collaboration of all responsible representative people will certainly be welcomed.

Mr. Shinwell

May I ask, on the subject of the invasion committees, whether these committees are voluntary in character or whether they are being organised by the Government, and will there be active cooperation well in advance with the military authorities?

Sir J. Anderson

Yes, Sir, these committees are being organised by the Regional Commissioner acting in conjunction with the local military commander. The invasion committees will be representative of the local services, the military authorities and the Government Departments mainly concerned, for example, the Ministry of Food, but, in addition, collaboration will be invited, as I have just indicated, from all local representative people who are in a position to help.

Sir L. Lyle

What was the objection to making this pronouncement long months ago? Many of us, including myself, have been pressing this question for months, and the Government have always said that it was not advisable to give the information; why was there this delay? Are these committees that my right hon. Friend mentioned in fact working anywhere, and cannot he give us much more detailed information?

Sir J. Anderson

These committees have been working in many areas for some considerable time. I have seen some of the detailed schemes prepared to cover every contingency. But it was not thought desirable to give general publicity to the arrangements being made before they had advanced a considerable way. We are now in a position to extend throughout the areas affected arrangements which have been tried out in many parts of the country.

Colonel Colville

In view of the importance attached in the statement to the role of the Home Guard in the event of invasion, does my right hon. Friend realise that the announcement that compulsory enrolment would apply only to the Southern counties has been misunderstood by the Home Guard, and would he have its implications fully examined in connection with the problem of defence?

Sir J. Anderson

Yes, Sir.

Sir J. Lamb

Will the selection of the names of the people on the committees be left entirely to the Regional Commissioners?

Sir J. Anderson

Broadly speaking, yes, Sir.

Mr. Gallacher

Arising out of the statement that it is everybody's right and duty to act under direction, can the right hon. Gentleman explain why in certain districts Communists are excluded from, or refused admission to, the Home Guard? Is it not the case that wherever the Nazis have invaded, Communists have not only been the toughest fighters against them but have been their most numerous victims?

Sir J. Anderson

That Question had better be put on the Paper.

Sir Granville Gibson

Is it intended to make use of the services of women in the scheme outlined?

Sir George Schuster

Is my right hon. Friend aware that the suggestion that certain parts of the country are more vulnerable than others implies that all the rest of the country will be left unprovided for, and, if so, does he realise that the enemy always goes for the softest spots and objectives in any country?

Sir J. Anderson

I fully realise that, but what I said was that the particular type of organisation which I was describing would be more appr[...]priate in certain parts of the country than in others. The object will he to ensure that all parts of the country are brought up, and kept up, to the necessary pitch of preparedness. With regard to the Question put by my hon. Friend the Member for Pudsey and Otley (Sir G. Gibson), there will be plenty of scope for women.

Mr. A. Bevan

Does the right hon. Gentleman realise that although the country will welcome the alertness on the part of the Government in the scheme outlined, it will be depressed by it unless there is evidence that the Government realise that the best way of defending Great Britain is to attack the enemy?

Miss Cazalet

In the event of invasion and men and women being called upon to do the same work, is it the intention of the Government that they shall receive the same pay and equal compensation if injured?

Mr. James Griffiths

Does my right hon. Friend realise that it is very important that these committees shall carry the full confidence of the public in the areas in which they serve, and in view of that, may I ask him whether local authorities will be consulted and whether it is proposed to consult Members of Parliament in the areas about the composition of these committees?

Sir J. Anderson

I have already said that the Government will welcome the collaboration of all responsible representative persons in these arrangements. Local authorities most certainly will be consulted and will be represented on these committees.

Mr. Bevan

Can I have a reply to my Question? Does the right hon. Gentleman realise the infinitely depressing effect of Great Britain taking up a defensive position while there is fighting on the Eastern front?

Sir J. Anderson

This is a problem of defence.

Mr. Ivor Thomas

Will the right hon. Gentleman consider giving the police, one of the most disciplined of our forces, a more active role than is at present envisaged? Is he aware that there is considerable dissatisfaction in the police force at the passive role which they are at present expected to play in the event of invasion?

Sir J. Anderson

There is no danger of the police finding themselves short of useful work, but specific instructions will be available to the police as to how they should act.

Captain Sir Ian Fraser

Would it not be desirable to have substantial invasion exercises in which the public could take part, so that they would not be at a loss in knowing what to do and from whom to take orders?

Sir J. Anderson

That has not been overlooked. Exercises have already been organised and held in various parts of the country.

Mr. McGovern

When the right hon. Gentleman talks about the distribution of arms, are these arms to be distributed before or after invasion? Have the Government any arms to be distributed?

Sir J. Anderson

Arms are being distributed as and when they become available, but obviously I cannot give figures.

Mr. J. Griffiths

Will the right hon. Gentleman reply to the point I put about Members of Parliament being consulted?

Sir J. Anderson

Perhaps Members of Parliament will communicate with the Regional Commissioners.

Mr. Griffiths

Does not the right hon. Gentleman think that the right way is for the Regional Commissioners to invite Members of Parliament?

Sir J. Anderson

I thought I had made it clear that collaboration with Members of Parliament is invited, but arrangements have to be made locally, and unless Members of Parliament communicate with the Regional Commissioners—

Hon. Members

No!

Mr. Shinwell

Will the right hon. Gentleman make it clear beyond any doubt that the Regional Commissioners will seek the co-operation of Members of Parliament?

Sir J. Anderson

Most certainly, but the local authorities come in too, and the point of what I have been saying is that these arrangements must be made locally.

Mr. Burke

Does the right hon. Gentleman mean that the initiative must be taken by Members of Parliament rather than by the Regional Commissioners?

Sir J. Anderson

No, Sir. I will certainly consider with my colleagues how best the obvious wishes of the House can be carried out.

Major Owen

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that up to the present Regional Commissioners have never in any shape or form consulted Members of Parliament?

Colonel Burton

Is not my right hon. Friend aware that the Regional Commissioner for East Anglia, on 29th November last, issued instructions covering practically the whole of the statement made to-day and that he invited Members of Parliament for the Eastern area to a meeting? In many cases invasion committees have been formed to deal with many of these questions.

Following is the full statement:

If invasion is attempted, there will be one thought only in the mind of everyone in this country—to drive out or destroy the enemy. Everyone will want to do all he can to contribute to this end. Millions of men and women who are in the Home Guard, police or one of the numerous Civil Defence and allied services will have their instructions. Others again may be doing work which must be carried on even during invasion. But it may be desirable to re-state the Government's plans so far as they relate to the rest of the civil population. The first essential is that except under definite orders everyone should "stand firm" and keep off the roads so as to avoid those refugee movements which proved so disastrous in the Battle of France. But this does not mean that the civil population are expected to adopt a purely passive role. On the contrary, the Government has always expected that the people of these islands will offer a united opposition to an invader and that every citizen will regard it has his duty to hinder and frustrate the enemy by every means which ingenuity can devise and common sense suggest.

Those who are physically fit will want to fight; but to do so effectively they must be organised and armed. Our resources in equipment and training capacity can be used to the best advantage only if they are applied to organised military bodies. It is therefore the duty of all who can do so to join the Home Guard. Some can give full and immediate service when invasion comes, and they will form the first line of the Home Guard—list (i) as it is now called. Others have work to do which should continue up to the last moment before they take to arms: they too can join, but they will be placed on list (ii). There are others who, while anxious to fight, cannot spare the time for the amount of training which is now required of the Home Guard. Everyone will understand and sympathise with their desire to fight, but the unorganised individual fighter represents an uneconomic use of men and weapons. A time may came, though it is not yet here, when it may be practicable to include this last class in the Home Guard under special conditions to meet their circumstances. Meanwhile, there are many ways in which they can help short of actual fighting.

In many parts of the country invasion committees have been set up. There is, of course, a wide difference in the importance and vulnerability of different parts of the country and it would be unwise and unnecessary to adopt identical measures everywhere; but these committees are being set up, under the guidance of the Regional Commissioners and the military authorities, in all areas where such measures are necessary. The invasion committees represent both the civil and military authorities. In the larger places they are based on the existing Civil Defence emergency committee; and in the smaller places where there is no such committee they consist of the local heads of the military, police, Civil Defence, food and other services. Their duty is to survey their local problems, consider what might be their needs if fighting reached their district, how these needs can be met and how the civil and military authorities can best help each other.

There are countless ways in which the help of civilians outside the organised services will be needed. For example, in cooking and distributing food, filling craters and shell holes to enable military vehicles to pass, digging slit trenches, providing billets for troops moving in, or for neighbours bombed or shelled out, or evacuated from dwelling houses near strong points or road blocks, or in the possible field Of fire; assisting in the provision of first aid and accommodation for military or civil casualties, and cleansing facilities for those who Tray have been gassed. The Invasion Committee will also collect full information about tools and transport for use in emergency and will take steps to see that reserve supplies of water are in readiness. In a village or small town the invasion committee will be able to allot specific jobs to particular individuals; and most of the able-bodied inhabitants will know in advance what their role will be. In larger towns the problem will have to be tackled on somewhat different lines. But the committee will be responsible for seeing that all needs are thought out in advance and that the town is organised to cope with them as they arise. When necessary there will be power, under Defence Regulation 84AA, to require civilians to do any work needed for meeting enemy action. In these ways civilians can play their part in the task of defeating the invader. In a closely organised country like ours, this will relieve the military of a great burden, for contrary to a view which seems to be widely held, the soldier has no desire to take over control or direction of the civil organisation in time of emergency. He must depend on the help of courageous and determined civilians, so that he may apply himself to his job of finding and beating the enemy. Those who make it their business to think out beforehand, in concert with the military, the tasks that lie to hand, to provide the resources and practise the methods to fulfil them will be contributing materially to the success of our forces.

But I want to emphasise that this is primarily a local problem and those who want to help must rely largely on their own initiative rather than look always to higher authority for detailed direction. General directions can be and have been given by the Government and by Regional Commissioners, but neither can prescribe in detail all that must be done. The problem in any particular village or town must be resolved by those on the spot who know and understand local conditions and are possessed of full information about the local resources in men and materials. If, in concert with the soldiers, they will use their foresight and their British commonsense now, I have no doubt we shall be ready to meet any emergency when it arises.

To sum up, there are three broad principles which we should all bear in mind. All of our people must do everything they can to help each other. No one must do anything which would be of the slightest help to the enemy. And, lastly, all have a right and duty to do everything they usefully can under responsible direction to defend their hearths and homes and their native land. All that I have said relates to the duties of the civil population in helping to repel an invader. If it should happen that for the time being the enemy succeeded in gaining control of a locality, the plans I have described would obviously not apply; but you may be sure that means would then be found to convey suitable instructions to those concerned. It would obviously be undesirable to give any publicity to these in advance.