HC Deb 20 April 1943 vol 388 cc1532-3
30. Dr. Edith Summerskill

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he can now make a statement with regard to women working with the Home Guard?

42. Lieut.-Colonel Sir Thomas Moore

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he has yet to come to a decision in regard to the employment of women with the Home Guard and the terms and conditions of their enrolment and service?

Sir J. Grigg

It has been decided that a limited number of women, proportionate to the strength of the Home Guard, may be nominated for service as auxiliaries with the Home Guard to perform non-combatant duties such as clerical work, cooking and driving. Women between 18 and 65 will be eligible for nomination, but instructions have been issued that Home Guard battalion commanders should give preference to those over 45 or those who are not liable to direction to other work. Women nominated will wear a badge brooch. The shortage of women-power for part-time duties is such that it will not be possible to exempt women nominated for service with the Home Guard from being directed to any other form of full-time or part-time service. The nomination of individual women will be permitted, but Home Guard commanders are being instructed wherever possible to make use of existing women's organisations which indeed have in very many places been performing services to the Home Guard on an unofficial basis. I am very pleased to have this opportunity of acknowledging the valuable and devoted services which they have performed.

Dr. Summerskill

This is not the time to comment on the details of the answer, but may I, on behalf of these women who are helping the Home Guard, ask the Minister to accept their thanks for this statement, which is an official recognition of the work they are doing; and may I also remind him that to-day is Hitler's birthday and that this is an appropriate message to the Fuehrer?

Mr. Granville

Does the issue of a broach mean that they will not be issued with uniforms?

Sir J. Grigg

Yes, Sir.

Sir Francis Fremantle

Will my right hon. Friend assure us that no nurses or midwives will be allowed to be diverted?

Sir T. Moore

Can my right hon. Friend say when this arrangement will take place, and will he also note that this announcement will cause great satisfaction?

Sir J. Grigg

As regards the first part of the Supplementary Question, instructions have already been issued.