§ 2. Dr. Edith Summerskillasked the Secretary of State for War why boys of 16 years of age are invited to join the Home Guard for the purpose of replacing Auxiliary Territorial Service personnel on the anti-aircraft batteries, when there are already reliable women working with the Home Guard willing to undertake these duties?
§ Sir J. GriggAuxiliary Territorial Service personnel employed with anti-aircraft batteries are needed during the daytime when Home Guard personnel are not normally available, and there is no intention of replacing them.
§ Dr. SummerskillWhy does not the right hon. Gentleman use the available women 1462 who are now attached to the Home Guard and might have more spare time instead of using boys of 16 who are also not available during the daytime?
§ Sir J. GriggThe hon. Member, I think, cannot have heard my answer. I said that there is no intention of replacing A.T.S. personnel serving with anti-aircraft batteries.
10. Miss Wardasked the Secretary of State for War whether, in view of the fact that children are recognised as legal dependants of widows, they will be so recognised for service allowances when the widows join the Auxiliary Territorial Service?
§ Sir J. GriggThe children of widows who join the Auxiliary Territorial Service are recognized for service allowances in so far that Army dependants' allowance may be issued in respect of them, subject to the usual conditions governing this allowance.
Miss WardAre they not issued under a separate order and not as a right, the casse of ordinary families?
§ Sir J. GriggThey are certainly dealt with as dependants' allowances and not as family allowances, but I will certainly look into that point. It merits examination.
Miss WardIt would be a great satisfaction if my right hon. Friend could carry out that undertaking.