§ 45. Lieut.-Colonel Sir Thomas Mooreasked the Prime Minister whether, in order to give effect to the nation's determination to bring the war to an early and victorious conclusion, he will introduce a measure of compulsion for all services connected with Civil Defence, including the Home Guard?
§ The Lord Privy Seal (Mr. Attlee)So far as the Civil Defence Services are concerned, men may be posted under the National Service Act for whole-time duty with the Civil Defence Services, including the National Fire Service. Under the Fire Prevention (Business Premises) Order or the Civil Defence Duties (Compulsory Enrolment) Order men between the ages of 16 and 60 are required, in places where it is considered by the Regional Commissioner to be necessary, to undertake part-time duties as Fire Guards. The question of applying the Civil Defence Duties (Compulsory Enrolment) Order to the other Civil Defence Services is under consideration. So far as the Home Guard is concerned, I would refer my hon. and gallant Friend to the reply given by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for War in answer to a similar Question on 21st January last.
§ Sir T. MooreIn considering this matter will the right hon. Gentleman bear in mind that if compulsion is applied, as it is, to the fire-fighting services, it is surely logical that it should be applied to all the Defence Services as well?