HC Deb 30 March 1943 vol 388 cc7-9
3. Mr. Douglas

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he will consider the letter from the Battersea Borough Labour Party and Trades Council, dated 11th February, complaining about the use of members of the Home Guard for purposes outside their duties; whether he has replied to that letter and on what date; and what was the nature of the reply?

Sir J. Grigg

I regret that a careful search has failed to trace the receipt of the letter referred to. I understand that a copy is being sent to the War Office where it will be fully considered. I will then communicate with my hon. Friend.

Mr. Douglas

Would the right hon. Gentleman explain how one of his clerks knew the contents of this letter, more than is contained in my Question?

Sir J. Grigg

Because the clerk of one of my private secretaries rang up the hon. Member's house and asked him whether he could furnish a copy of the letter and in fact sent a sent a special messenger to get a copy of the letter; and the letter has not yet arrived.

Mr. Douglas

Is the Minister aware that this information was communicated before any information was supplied by me?

Sir J. Grigg

That, to the best of my knowledge, is contrary to my recollection of the events.

9. Mr. Thorne

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he can give any information in connection with £500,000 Home Guard accounts shortage which is reported in the Comptroller and Auditor-General's statement for the year ended 31st March, 1942; and what he intends doing about the matter?

Sir J. Grigg

I do not think I can usefully add anything at present to the explanation given by the Comptroller and Auditor-General in his report. The Committee of Public Accounts will have an opportunity of going further into the matter in the near future if they so desire, when the Army Appropriation Account for 1941 is under consideration.

Colonel Sir A. Lambert Ward

Does not the shortage referred to in the Auditor-General's Report cover the entire period from the inception of the Home Guard until 31st March, 1942; and furthermore is not the shortage almost entirely due to stores and equipment destroyed by enemy action?

Sir J. Grigg

So far as the first part of the question is concerned, that is certainly the case. As regards the second part, I would not like to commit myself to saying that it is almost entirely due, but it is certainly materially due, to that reason.

18. Mr. Walter Edwards

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that Home Guard personnel have been informed that, when called upon to muster, they are expected to bring a 24-hours' supply of food with them; and, in view of the difficulty in complying with this order, will he cancel it and arrange for the men to be issued with an iron ration as they report at their respective depots for duty?

Sir J. Grigg

Arrangements for feeding the Home Guard when mustered have been made, and there is no reason which can be foreseen why these arrangements should not work. It will, however, be a time of emergency and unavoidable delays may occur. It is, therefore, considered prudent and in the interests of the men themselves for them to bring some food with them. The regulation says no more than this. I am unaware of any order to bring a 24-hours' supply of food.