§ 61. Mrs. Tateasked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether he has examined the case of Robert Duncan who refused to do Home Guard duty and who claimed to be British by force; and whether this man has been dismissed the Civil Service?
§ The First Lord of the Admiralty (Mr. A. V. Alexander)I have been asked to reply. I have examined the case to which my hon. Friend refers and am satisfied that the circumstances do not call for the dismissal of Mr. Duncan, who is serving in the Admiralty. He has expressed regret for his words which, spoken in heat, he had not intended to be taken literally. His offence in refusing to join the Home Guard has been dealt with by the civil authority, and I am glad to be able to inform my hon. Friend that he has now joined the Home Guard.