§ [The question was as follows:
§ To ask His Majesty's Government whether, in view of the fact that many of the Home Guard have definitely taken their place alongside the Regular Army in the defence of the country and that their responsibility for the defence of the country is increasing and growing heavier, His Majesty's Government will now give instructions to treat officers of the Home Guard on the same basis for travelling and hospital treatment as officers of the Regular Army and thus remove what is a source of discontent and irritation to all those concerned and a differentiation in treatment which has no justification and is inequitable and derogatory to their status as officers holding the King's Commission.]
§ THE PARLIAMENTARY UNDERSECRETARY OF STATE FOR WAR (LORD CROFT)My Lords, before I answer the question on the Paper, I hope that my noble friend will excuse me if I give a very brief sketch of the history 99 of this question, which has been raised on several occasions both here and in another place. When the Local Defence Volunteers were formed in May, 1940, men of every class and age enrolled in a spirit of national comradeship. Every member was treated alike, without special privileges or financial discrimination of any kind, and this fundamental principle of service in the Home Guard has remained unaltered. When Commissions were granted to Home Guard officers in November, 1940, it was made clear that this was being done as there would otherwise be difficulty in bringing the Home Guard under the operational control of the Commander-in-Chief, Home Forces, if they were called on to fight side by side with the Regular Army, but that the grant of Commissions would involve no change in the original basis of equal treatment for all.
The possibility of abandoning this principle in the case of railway travel and hospital treatment has been carefully considered on several occasions since then. The change would logically lead to the abandonment of the principle in other matters, for example of allowances of various kinds and pensions. I would emphasize that the objection to the noble Viscount's proposal is not primarily financial, but is based on the fact that the acceptance of the proposal would change the conception of the nature of this Force.
With regard to hospitals, arrangements are already in force whereby Home Guard officers are, as a rule, treated in special wards or rooms reserved for Home Guards, and not in wards with other ranks of the Regular Forces. The Home Guard is a local force, and not many of its officers have to travel long distances by train, but, when they do, they will often find at the present time that officers and other ranks are compelled to share the available accommodation. For these reasons, I regret that it is not considered that a change in the present system is justified.
VISCOUNT ELIBANKMy Lords, arising out of what I regard as a very unsatisfactory answer I should like to ask the noble Lord whether he is aware that Home Guard officers all over the country feel this very strongly indeed. I can speak with knowledge of Scotland, but I 100 cannot speak for England to the same extent. I should like to ask him, in spite of what he has said, what reason there is for creating first-class Commissions for Regular officers and third-class Commissions for Home Guard officers who are performing the same duties, and who are liable to the same risks and injuries. I should like to ask His Majesty's Government further to consider the question.
§ LORD CROFTMy Lords, if I am in order in replying, out of courtesy to my noble friend, who I know has this matter very much at heart, I should like to assure him that all the points that he has made so eloquently on this and previous occasions have been given every consideration, and I am afraid there is nothing I can add to my statement in answer to his question.
THE EARL OF CORK AND ORRERYMy Lords, I should like to ask a question arising out of that answer. I should like to ask the Government to look at this matter in another light. It is too late now for the Government to say that they are not going to discriminate between the officers and men of the Home Guard, because they have done it already. They have given officers their rank, and the insignia of their rank. There is no record in history of a military force which has reached the highest pitch of efficiency and in which there has been no discrimination between officers and men. This is being done in the Home Guard, and I want to ask the Government whether they will not reconsider their attitude. It will cost them nothing, and will do away with a feeling of irritation which exists in the commissioned ranks of the Home Guard.
§ LORD CROFTMy Lords, I can only assure my noble friend that I will see that what he has said is conveyed to my right honourable friend the Secretary of State for War, in order that once more every consideration may be given to these points.