§ 14. Commander Sir Archibald Southbyasked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that, as regards members of the Home Guard, no endorsement of the identity card is permitted similar to that placed upon the old identity cards which showed the holder to be, in fact, 6 a member of the Home Guard; that cards of members of the air-raid precautions personnel do carry details of the rank, etc., of the holder; and, in view of the desirability of a member of the Home Guard being able similarly to establish his bona fides, will suitable arrangements be made to achieve this result?
§ The Secretary of State for War (Sir James Grigg)The identity cards of Home Guards in anti-aircraft units will, for operational reasons, be specially stamped. The application of this measure to all members of the Home Guard would involve administrative difficulties which probably outweigh the advantages which might be gained.
§ Sir A. SouthbyIs there any reason why the existing endorsements upon the old identity cards should not be transferred to the new identity cards when the cards are exchanged, because many Home Guards are proud of having the original endorsements on their cards?
§ Sir J. GriggApart from the administrative difficulties, to which I have referred, I am not aware of any difficulty, and I shall be glad to look into the matter to see whether it is possible to adopt the suggestion.
20. Major Mannuigham-Bullerasked the Secretary of State for War what number of Regular officers under 35 years of age and medical category A are now employed as Home Guard training officers?
§ Sir J. GriggThere are seven such officers directly employed with Home Guard battalions.
§ Major Manningham-BullerWill my right hon. Friend consider whether they can be more suitably employed?
§ Sir J. GriggThese are special cases, and there are very few of them. They are confined to cases where the circumstances do justify the use of Ai officers.