HC Deb 09 February 1943 vol 386 c1148

The following Question stood upon the Order Paper in the name of Sir HENRY MORRIS-JONES:

11. "To ask the Secretary of State for War whether the Government will consider the granting of a gratuity at the end of the war to officers, non-commissioned officers and men of the Home Guard?"

Sir H. Morris-Jones

On a point of Order. I put this Question to the Prime Minister, as it involves a matter of policy, and it was accepted as such by the Clerk at the Table. Is there any means whereby I can get an answer from the source to which I addressed it?

Mr. Speaker

I have given an answer to the same question several times. The Department concerned is the one to answer the Question.

Sir J. Grigg

The answer to the Question on the Paper is, No, Sir. As stated by my right hon. Friend the Deputy Prime Minister on 4th March, 1942, it will be for the Government of the day to settle the question of a gratuity even for full-time members of the three Services. The position of the Home Guard is, of course, essentially different.

Sir H. Morris-Jones

As no doubt a gratuity will be given to the Army, will the right hon. Gentleman consider, in view of the sacrifices made by these men and the expenditure to which many of them have been put, making a recommendation that a gratuity should be given to them at the end of hostilities?

Sir J. Grigg

My hon. Friend's assertion of the probabilities of the case do not amount to anything but a hypothetical question.

Mr. Shinwell

But in view of the new functions respecting the Home Guard as suggested by the General Officer commanding in the London area, will not that make a difference?

Sir J. Grigg

I am looking up to see what the General Officer Commanding in the London district said. Authoritative statements on this question will be made by Ministers.