HC Deb 14 November 1944 vol 404 cc1785-6
36. Mr. Kirby

asked the Secretary of State for War whether it is now permissible for members of the Home Guard to have their khaki greatcoats and trousers dyed for use as civilian attire.

Sir J. Grigg

I am glad of this opportunity to clear any misunderstanding there may be about the present position. The instructions so far issued cover the standing down of the Home Guard, not its disbandment. Members are therefore liable to recall if the need arises. The instructions for standing down the Home Guard make it clear that should the Home Guard be recalled for active duty, members will report for duty complete with the items of clothing and equipment which they have been allowed to retain. It will not be until the actual disbandment of the Home Guard that members will be allowed to dispose of, or have their khaki greatcoats, trousers, etc., dyed for use as civilian clothes.

Mr. Kirby

May I thank the right hon. Gentleman for his reply, which will give great satisfaction to the Home Guard, and a lead as to what they may do with these garments?

Sir J. Grigg

I hope it will give satisfaction, and I hope it will make the position clear. I noticed in one of the London papers this morning, in the women's column, a recipe for turning a Home Guard coat into a winter coat for a boy, and this in spite of the fact that the representatives of that newspaper have been told several times that the Home Guard are not disbanded.

Mr. J. J. Lawson

Could not the right hon. Gentleman give a broadcast or something of that kind, making a full general statement to the Home Guard, instead of dealing with the matter in this piecemeal way, which is causing very great embarrassment and is inequitable to many men?

Sir J. Grigg

I must take exception to the hon. Member's suggestion that these instructions have been issued in a piecemeal way. They have not. They were issued in a comprehensive way but, for reasons which I cannot fathom, they have been misunderstood all over the country. Having re-read the text of the instructions, I cannot find any warrant for misunderstanding them.

Mr. Kirby

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that wives of men of the Home Guard now standing down, have already made the overcoats into dressing gowns for their husbands?

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