HC Deb 20 October 1942 vol 383 cc1815-6
17. Captain Sir William Brass

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware of the difficulties under which Home Guard company commanders labour in endeavouring to memorise the various instructions, countermanded instructions and amended instructions in the Army Council Instructions sent to them from the War Office, a typical example of which can be found in Army Council Instruction 1833, paragraph 3; and whether, in view of the fact that Home Guard work is supposed to be a part-time job, he will consider altering this system of instructions by reference, by the issue of some completed work to save the labour of constantly referring back as is the practice under the present system?

Sir J. Grigg

Yes, Sir. Army Council Instructions already issued in connection with the Home Guard are being consolidated and will be issued as Home Guard Regulations in the near future.

Sir W. Brass

I am much obliged to my right hon. Friend.

18. Mr. Rhys Davies

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that Mr. Richard James, The Bungalow, Green Lane, Hindley Green, Wigan, joined the Home Guard many months ago when he was an ordinary workman in the colliery; that after being appointed an official in the colliery he resigned from the Home Guard when such resignations were legal; that he was ordered to parade and did not attend; that he was prosecuted and fined by the Wigan magistrates because the Home Guard authorities contended that his resignation was not received; that since his appointment as a colliery official he has been employed on more than seven shifts a week and will he take steps to make this-resignation effective?

Sir J. Grigg

I am aware of the case referred to by my hon. Friend. There is no record of Mr. James' resignation being received at any time by his battalion commander. The question of Mr. James', discharge from the Home Guard on occupational grounds is, however, now being considered.

Mr. Davies

Will the right hon. Gentleman bear in mind that this man is certainly doing very much more useful service in the pit than parading in the Home Guard?

Sir J. Grigg

I would not admit that.

Mr. Davies

I would.