HC Deb 16 May 1944 vol 400 cc3-6
7. Colonel Burton

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he can indicate the equipment issued to nominated women in the Home Guard.

Sir J. Grigg

I assume my hon. and gallant Friend refers to personal equipment. The answer, in that case, is, None, Sir.

Colonel Burton

If these women are subject to the same risks as the armed Home Guard, should they not have tin hats?

Sir J. Grigg

I would not admit, for a moment, that they are subject to the same risks as the armed Home Guard.

9. Mr. Liddall

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that for the efficient carrying out of essential operations extra transport facilities are urgently required by the Home Guard; and will he consider the allocation to them of some of the heavier motor vehicles discarded as obsolete for general use, but which the Home Guard themselves could recondition and use effectively.

Sir J. Grigg

The vehicles issued to Home Guard units are, I understand, in general, adequate to carry out their duties. In special cases, they may call upon War Department vehicles or hire civilian transport. Arrangements have also been made to augment the transport of Home Guard units in the event of active operations. I do not consider that any further measures need be taken at present.

Mr. Liddall

Is my right hon. Friend not aware that there is a very large number of men who are competent and anxious to carry out this work? Cannot they be given permission, as well as units of the Home Guard which require transport?

Sir J. Grigg

I am well aware of that, but there are other activities going on in the country at the present moment for which transport is required.

16. Mr. Liddall

asked the Secretary of State for War whether, consistently with the national interest, he can make any statement as to the future role of the Home Guard.

Sir J. Grigg

My hon. Friend will understand that at the present time, even if it were possible, it would be extremely unwise to make any such statement.

21. Mr. Edgar Granville

asked the Secretary of State for War if he is satisfied that agricultural workers who are members of the Home Guard and who are working long hours and will be expected to attend to special parades and invasion duties will be supplied with adequate rations in order to enable them to carry out these heavy and responsible tasks during the coming invasion period.

Sir J. Grigg

I understand that the arrangements made are satisfactory.

Mr. Granville

Can the right hon. Gentleman give an assurance that this satisfactory arrangement will apply, not to the allowances for rations, but to the actual rations; and will he bear in mind the fact that the agricultural worker has long hours, and has no N.A.A.F.I., or industrial canteen or British Restaurant?

Sir J. Grigg

I understand that arrangements are made to provide rations in kind.

Mr. Granville

rose—

Mr. Speaker

Mrs. Hardie.

Mr. Granville

I beg to give notice that, in view of the unsatisfactory nature of the reply I will raise this matter again on the Motion for the Adjournment.

Sir J. Grigg

I was not given an opportunity of replying to the supplementary question, but there is another Question on the Order Paper by another hon. Member, and perhaps the hon. Member for Eye (Mr. Granville) will wait for that.

28. Mr. Driberg

asked the Secretary of State for War if he is aware that pieces of cheese weighing as little as a quarter of an ounce each have lately been issued to various Home Guard units in Essex, each piece to serve as rations for a dozen or more men; and if he will take steps to issue more adequate rations to Home Guards.

Sir J. Grigg

The arrangements in force provide that Home Guard units may buy from their subsistence allowance one day's rationed foodstuffs on the civilian scale for each of their members for each day in which the member concerned is on duty for more than six hours. This of course is in addition to the rationed foods to which the man is entitled at home. The balance of the subsistence allowance is available for the purchase of unrationed foods. I have heard of some cases where, owing to a misunderstanding, these arrangements were not properly carried out but I hope there will be no difficulty in future.

Mr. Driberg

If men are away from home for considerable periods of time, is it not rather unfair that they should be limited to these very meagre rations, and if I send the right hon. Gentleman one of these infinitesimal particles of cheese, will he nibble at it?

Sir J. Grigg

Metaphorically, yes, but, as I have explained, the infinitesimal portion of cheese to which the hon. Member refers was issued as a result of a misunderstanding of the Regulations.

Mr. Edgar Granville

Will the right hon. Gentleman make it absolutely clear that the Home Guard are not getting allowances, but rations?

Sir J. Grigg

They are getting the normal rations; they are also getting allowances from which they can purchase additional food over and above their rations.

Mr. Driberg

Without coupons?

Mr. Loverseed

Can the right hon. Gentleman say if these rations were intended for mice or men?

Sir J. Grigg

The hon. Member knows that as well as I do.