§ 7. Mr. Ralph Ethertonasked the Minister of Labour whether anyone has been compusorily enrolled or directed into the Home Guard and so subjected to military law, with its various special implications and obligations, without a Royal Proclamation to cover the age group of that person in view of the fact that no one is compulsorily enrolled in the Armed Forces of the Crown and so subjected to military law unless and until a Royal Proclamation has been made covering the age group of the person called?
§ Mr. BevinYes, Sir. Under Section 1 of the National Service (No. 2) Act, 1941, the liability of any person to part-time service in the Armed Forces of the Crown, which includes service in the Home Guard, is such as may be imposed upon him under Defence Regulations, 1107 and Regulation 3 of the Defence (Home Guard) Regulations, 1940, gives me the power to direct men who are British subjects to enrol in the Home Guard. No Proclamation is necessary. I am not at present directing any men over the age of 51 into the Home Guard.