12. Mr. Bernard Taylorasked the Secretary of State for War whether he is, aware of the hardship being caused among members of the Home Guard, especially those working long hours and in the heavy 177 industries; and whether he will consider issuing instructions with a view to a relaxation of duties and less frequent attendances at parades and exercises?
§ Sir J. GriggI would refer my hon. Friend to the reply given by the Prime Minister on 11th November to my hon. Friend the Member for Weston-super-Mare (Mr. Orr-Ewing).
Mr. TaylorIs the right hon. Gentleman aware of the unrest in the coalfields because of the too frequent attendance at parades and exercises, and will he reconsider the matter in the light of that? Also has he seen the comments of the Coal Controller in to-day's papers in the North Midland Region on the subject?
§ Sir J. GriggI am aware of the particular case to which the hon. Member refers. I have just had a full report on it, which I am studying. With regard to the first part of the supplementary question, I think that was covered by what the Prime Minister said in his answer.
Mr. TaylorIn view of the unsatisfactory nature of the reply, I will raise the matter on the Adjournment.
§ 20. Mr. Naylorasked the Secretary of State for War whether he has any statement to make concerning the result, of his inquiries into the circumstances which caused a number of officers in a certain battalion of the Home Guard to tender their resignations?
§ Sir J. GriggThe Commander of this battalion resigned on 2nd October. His successor was unfortunately wounded in an air raid a few days after he had assumed command and has been unable to go into the difficulties which had arisen in the unit. This has now been done by higher military authorities and I am glad to say that all the officers, have withdrawn their resignations although one has only done so verbally. The one warrant officer and 17 non-commissioned officers who asked to be reverted to the ranks have withdrawn their request.