§ LORD ELTONasked His Majesty's Government—
- (a) Whether they are aware that 16th May, the date recently chosen for anniversary celebrations of the Home Guard, has been publicly announced for twelve months past as Empire Youth Sunday; that Empire Youth Sunday was observed last year in approximately 80 per cent. of parishes in Great Britain; and that preparations for Empire Youth Sunday this year are already far advanced and in very many places will include parades of the pre-service training units and other local youth organisations, followed by a united service,
566 attended by the Mayor and other dignitaries. - (b) Whether they will take all possible steps to reduce to a minimum the inevitable conflict between the Home Guard celebrations and the local arrangements already planned for Empire Youth Sunday.
§ LORD CROFTThe 14th May is regarded as the anniversary of the formation of the Home Guard but if interference with production and agriculture is to be avoided, any large scale celebrations must necessarily be held on the Sunday following. His Majesty's Government have decided that such celebrations are desirable on the occasion of the third anniversary of the Home Guard and orders have been issued accordingly for them to take place on Sunday, May 16. It was realized that celebrations had been arranged for this day for Empire Youth Sunday. It was, however, felt that local arrangements could be made to reduce to a minimum the conflict between the two celebrations, and orders were issued by the War Office accordingly. They stated specifically that units of the Junior Training Corps and Army Cadet Force should take part not in the Home Guard celebrations but in those for Empire Youth Sunday.