HC Deb 25 June 1940 vol 362 cc281-4
9. Mr. Cocks

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he will consider permitting women who can use a rifle to join the Local Defence Volunteers?

The Financial Secretary to the War Office (Mr. Richard Law)

No, Sir.

Mr. Cocks

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that hundreds of women in this country who are expert in the use of a rifle are absolutely furious because they are not allowed to join the Local Defence Volunteers?

Mr. Law

I hope that they will understand the position.

Dr. Edith Summerskill

Could the Minister give a reason for this refusal?

Mr. Law

Apart from any question of principle which may be involved, there are all sorts of questions of organisation which make it impracticable.

Lieut.-Colonel Sir Thomas Moore

Is not the female of the species more deadly than the male?

13. Mr. Ralph Etherton

asked the Secretary of State for War what provisions exist for reasonable expenditure to be made by group and company headquarters of Local Defence Volunteers on their local organisation, including accommodation for men on duty, travelling, petrol, telephones, postages, etc.; whether notification of such provisions as exist has been circularised to local units; and whether there is any sanction for local authorities to make advances in aid of such expenditure in proper cases?

18. Mr. Mender

asked the Secretary of State for War what arrangements have been made to supply units of the Local Defence Volunteers with the necessary financial assistance?

Mr. Law

Grants were made some time ago to commands and to zone and group organisers to meet necessary administrative expenditure. But it was felt that the machinery could be more effectively worked through Territorial Army Associations who are accustomed to dealing with questions of this kind. Instructions have accordingly been issued to all concerned, and associations will take over the administration of Local Defence Volunteers and the necessary funds are being placed at their disposal.

Mr. Etherton

Will my hon. Friend say when the notification was issued to these units that they had money available?

Mr. Law

The instruction was issued only quite recently, and I have no doubt that by this time it has been used.

Mr. Mender

Can my hon. Friend give an assurance that any leaders in the Local Defence Volunteers who feel called upon to make certain expenditure in order not to delay the work will be reimbursed from War Office funds later on?

Mr. Law

I do not think any member of the Local Defence Volunteers will be out of pocket in respect of any expenditure that is reasonably incurred.

Major Sir George Davies

Is my hon. Friend aware that, in spite of the expressed desire to keep this organisation as simple as possible, it is inevitable that as time goes by the work thrown upon company and larger units is increasing, that the files and letters, both secret and general, are increasing, and that the staff work is constantly increasing, in spite of every effort to restrict it; and will my hon. Friend appreciate that this throws additional expenditure on the staffs which have to cope with this increasing correspondence?

Mr. Law

Yes, Sir, I appreciate that, and, of course, the financial arrangements have been modified to meet the points which my hon. and gallant Friend has raised.

Sir F. Fremantle

And to meet also the travelling expenses, which have been out of keeping with the amount allowed?

17. Mr. Cocks

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he will take steps to accelerate the supply of instructions, armlets, guns, petrol coupons and legitimate financial resources to units of the Local Defence Volunteers; whether it is the policy of the War Office to encourage the development of this force in every possible way; and whether it is intended that it should officially form a part of the Territorial regiments of the Regular Army in the various areas concerned?

Mr. Law

It is the policy of the War Office to encourage the development of the Local Defence Volunteers in every way, and issue of all the items mentioned in the Question is being made as rapidly as possible. It is not intended that the Force should form part of the Territorial regiments of the Regular Army.

Mr. Cocks

Is the Minister aware that in certain areas there is a lack of complete satisfaction with the present arrangements?

Mr. Law

As the hon. Member knows, the Local Defence Volunteer Corps are being organised throughout the whole of the country, and I think it is a little too much to expect, at this stage, that there should be complete satisfaction everywhere. However, I can assure the hon. Member that every effort is being made to remove the grounds for dissatisfaction where they exist.

Mr. Silverman

If these people are not members of the Regular Forces, what is their status in international law?

Mr. Law

They are members of the Armed Forces of the Crown.

Mr. Lawson

Is the Minister aware that if there is not some more definite organisation for these units as part of the Armed Forces, there is a great danger of their usefulness being dissipated? Has the War Office considered the value of despatch riders?

Mr. Law

Yes, Sir. The War Office has consideration of that matter.

19. Mr. Mander

asked the Secretary of State for War to what extent personal or motor-car licences belonging to members of the Local Defence Volunteers are affected by the membership thereof; and what steps they should take in case of doubt?

Mr. Law

Any member of the Local Defence Volunteers, who is authorised to use his car on duty, will receive mileage allowance, provided his car is licensed and insured for the purpose. In cases of doubt, the insurance company should be consulted. The use of a car by a member for private purposes is not affected.

Mr. Mander

Is there any Army authority, such as the Secretary of the Territorial Association, to whom application may be made for guidance in case of doubt?

Mr. Law

The simplest way is to apply to the insurance company.

Sir T. Moore

Would it not be a good thing to hand over many of these non-licensed and laid-up cars to the headquarters of the Local Defence Volunteers for general utility? There is widespread feeling about that.

Mr. Law

I think that would raise very wide questions of organisation and also administrative difficulties. Certainly, if a state of acute emergency arose, that course would be followed.

Sir T. Moore

But that would be too late.

Mr. Law

I do not think there is any need for it at this stage, because there is no shortage of motor-cars.

Mr. De la Bère

Is it not a very sound suggestion? Why do we have to have these stereotyped and meaningless answers?