§ 29. Sir George Mitchesonasked the Secretary of State for War whether any steps are being taken to ensure that the efforts which are being made by various societies to provide comforts for soldiers, sailors and airmen, are being sufficiently co-ordinated to ensure that no units of any branches of the Forces are over looked; whether he is aware that in a number of cases local organisations have adopted particular units and ships, and that this method attracts wider support 17 than the more anonymous efforts; and whether he can take steps to encourage this method of adoption?
§ Sir V. WarrenderThe Director-General of Voluntary Organisations, with offices in Berkeley Square House, has been appointed with the object of co-ordinating the generous offers of the public and ensuring that gifts of money and in kind, other than those specifically earmarked and dealt with by one or other of the Service organisations, shall be equitably distributed between personnel of the three Services. Every endeavour is made to meet the demands of all units in any branch of the Forces.
As regards the second part of the Question, the method of adoption of particular ships or units may sometimes have advantages, but it frequently results in a ship or unit receiving a good deal more than is required, whilst others which are not adopted by any county or town may go without.
Mr. RathboneIn this effort at co-ordination will particular attention be paid to the sometimes elderly members of the National Defence Corps, who in this country are doing guard duty at night, often in the bitterest weather?
§ Sir V. WarrenderI will make a note of my hon. Friend's points.