HC Deb 04 May 1943 vol 389 cc11-2
23. Sir George Mitcheson

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he can furnish an estimate of the value of clothing and equipment issued to the Home Guard which has been written off as unaccounted for?

Sir J. Grigg

About £600,000 worth.

Sir Herbert Williams

Do we understand that £600,000 of stores and equipment have been lost?

Sir J. Grigg

It is not a very large figure in relation to the total value of the equipment of the Home Guard. In any case, the bulk of it was alluded to in the Comptroller and Auditor-General's Report and presumably it will come under the scrutiny of the Public Accounts Committee.

Lieut.-Colonel Sir A. Lambert Ward

Is it not correct to say that a good deal was destroyed during the bombardment of London by enemy action?

Sir J. Grigg

A material amount of it.

Sir H. Williams

Is it the case that at that time the Home Guard had no equipment?

Sir J. Grigg

No, Sir.