§ 23. Major Petoasked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that in some rural districts where considerable distances have to be covered the authorised establishment of motor transport for the use of the Home Guard is so limited that it does not include a motorcar for the use of the company or, platoon commander; and whether he will arrange that in such cases, where officers use their own motor-cars for Home Guard work, they shall he entitled to compensation in the event of the motor-car being lost or damaged by enemy action?
§ Mr. A. HendersonAll War Department cars held by Home Guard units are held in a pool in each unit. They are not allocated to the holders of specific appointments. Home Guards may place their cars at the disposal of the unit, either for part-time or whole-time service. If a car which has been accepted for Home Guard use is not insured under the War Damage Act and suffers war damage when on 1451 authorised Home Guard duty, the owner will be entitled to compensation provided the unit continues to require the use of the car and the owner certifies that the car will remain available for continued use by the Home Guard. An officer who has not placed his car at the disposal of the Home Guard is not authorised to use it on Home Guard duty and will, therefore, not be entitled to compensation from Army Funds. He may, of course, insure under the War Damage Act.
§ Sir A. SouthbyIs not the hon. and learned Gentleman aware that in many cases officers have placed their cars at the disposal of the Home Guard and have used them for Home Guard duties? Unless the car comes under the establishment allowed for the local Home Guard no compensation is payable in the event of damage by enemy action or while the car is being used on Home Guard service.
§ Mr. HendersonI do not think it would depend on the establishment if the appropriate authorities authorise the use of the car for Home Guard purposes.