73. Mr. De la Bèreasked the Secretary of State for War whether he will send out a comprehensive circular to all the officers commanding units of the Home Guard directing their attention to the necessity of refraining from utilising the services of the farm-workers, especially cowmen, who are members of the Home Guard, for military exercises as far as possible during the course of the next six 1688 weeks in view of the national importance of hay-making, harvesting and obtaining the maximum output from the farms?
§ Mr. SandysInstructions have recently been issued to Home Guard commanders informing them that in assessing a man's hours of training and operational duty they must give full weight to the claims of his civilian employment. The importance of not interfering with essential farm work is well known to Home Guard commanders in country districts.
Mr. De la BèreWhile admitting that the actions of most commanding officers in these matters are very satisfactory, does my hon. Friend appreciate that there are certain instances where they do not realise that on Saturdays and Sundays the cows cannot milk themselves, and will he draw their attention to the need for cowmen being allowed to carry on their duties on Saturdays and Sundays?
§ Mr. SandysI believe that the habits of cows are well known to Home Guard commanders in country districts.