HC Deb 25 February 1941 vol 369 cc348-9
30. Mr. Bossom

asked the Secretary of State for War what are the compensation arrangements for a member of the Home Guard if he should be injured whilst doing fire watching duty?

Captain Margesson

Fire watching in the normal sense is not a duty of the Home Guard, and members of the Home Guard have been exempted from compulsory enrolment for these duties. A member of the Home Guard undertaking voluntary fire prevention duty in his capacity as a citizen would be dealt with under the Personal Injuries (Civilians) Scheme administered by the Ministry of Pensions. If, however, it happened that he was injured while assisting in analogous duties under orders in his capacity as a member of the Home Guard, he would be dealt with under the arrangements for disablement allowances and pensions for members of the Home Guard.

34. Mr. Frankel

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that in order to circumvent the decision that only those at present in the Home Guard would receive consideration for a commission, there is a rush to introduce newcomers before the Selection Board meets; that one person was enrolled recently and made immediately second in command of the 10th Battalion over the heads of all the commanders who have been working for the Home Guard since Dunkirk; and whether he proposes to take any steps to stop this practice?

Captain Margesson

If my hon. Friend will be good enough to let me have particulars of the case he has in mind, I will lave it investigated.

Mr. Frankel

Is the right hon. and gallant Gentleman aware that I asked him a Question on this subject three weeks ago, that he then promised a full report, and that we have not yet had that full report? Is he aware that there is widespread discontent all over the country in the Home Guard, and that damage is now being done, and will he give an assurance that he will carry out the declared intentions of the House in regard to this matter?

Captain Margesson

Yes, Sir. I certainly think it would be entirely contrary to the intention of the House that a practice of this sort should be indulged in, but what I did ask the hon. Gentleman was that he should let me have full particulars of this particular instance, so that I could have it looked into.

Mr. Frankel

I will certainly do that, but I wish the right hon. and gallant Gentleman would bear in mind that the matter to which I drew his attention three weeks ago has not yet been reported on to the House.

36. Mr. Mander

asked the Secretary of State for War what compensation for loss of earnings will be given to members of the Home Guard in the event of their being called up for whole-time service?

Captain Margesson

I would ask my hon. Friend to await a statement which is shortly to be made by my hon. Friend the Joint Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, on this and other matters connected with the Home Guard.