HC Deb 20 June 1940 vol 362 cc228-9
25. Mr. Sorensen

asked the Home Secretary whether he will arrange that, when part-time air-raid precautions workers have to lose part of their working day when called on duty, they should receive an allowance equivalent to their trade union rate of pay for that period and should be able to report to a point near their place of work in the event of an air-raid warning being given during their normal employment away from their homes?

Sir J. Anderson

If the advice of the Department is followed, part-time volunteers who are in employment will be called up only in conformity with arrangements agreed upon in advance between their employers and the local authority. In a high proportion of cases it may be hoped that no loss of wages will be involved, but where there is such loss the authority has power to make it good up to a maximum of 10s. a day for a man and 7s. for a woman. Local authorities fully realise the importance of arranging that volunteers should report for duty at points as near as possible to their normal residence or place of work.

Mr. Sorensen

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that though the maximum of 10s. can be paid, that still falls far short of the daily pay which many workers receive, and in view of the loss which that involves, will he direct that larger amounts may be paid in certain circumstances?

Sir J. Anderson

I think it would be very difficult to authorise the payment of rates exceeding those normally paid for full time Civil Defence Service.