HC Deb 19 May 1942 vol 380 cc20-2
42. Lieut.-Colonel Sir Thomas Moore

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he can now announce a decision in regard to the payment of travelling expenses incurred by Home Guard personnel in attending instructional parades and operational exercises?

Sir J. Grigg

Yes, Sir. An instruction has been issued that reasonable travelling expenses incurred by members of the Home Guard in attending authorised duty, including instructional parades and operational exercises, may be refunded.

Mr. Bossom

Is my right hon. Friend aware that these small payments will require that there should be another clerk in almost every company headquarters?

Sir J. Grigg

I am afraid that this refund of expenses will, unfortunately, be accompanied by a certain amount of extra paper work, but I can assure the hon. Member that the accounting system has been made as simple as possible.

43. Sir T. Moore

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he can make a statement in regard to the payment of Home Guard personnel while attending courses of instruction in military duties?

Sir J. Grigg

It has been decided to grant compensation for loss of earnings up to a maximum of 12s. a day, or 74s. a week, to members of the Home Guard who attend a course of instruction lasting not less than six days.

Sir T. Moore

My right hon. Friend will, of course, appreciate that those two decisions will give great comfort and satisfaction to the Home Guard?

Mr. Glenvil Hall

Can the right hon. Gentleman say why he limits this concession to six days?

Sir J. Grigg

Because with courses shorter than six days it ought to be possible to arrange for them to be done in such a way and in such time as not to involve interference with the civilian occupations of the men.

60. Brigadier-General Clifton Brown

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that certain agricultural key men and milkers have been warned to attend certain manoeuvres; that it will seriously reduce milk production if the have to be away from work on other duties; and whether he will arrange to exempt milkers and key men from these military duties at this time of year?

Sir J. Grigg

I understand that certain special Home Guard training has been arranged for the latter half of June. This will not, of course, be continuous but will take place at times when the men can reasonably be expected to attend.

Brigadier-General Brown

Is not the Minister aware that a good deal of pressure is put upon farm workers to get them to turn out? They are anxious to do it, but they cannot serve two masters. The cow will not agree to give her milk if she is not attended to for two or three days.

Sir J. Grigg

The attention of commanders has already been drawn to the necessity for not allowing essential agricultural work to be interfered with.