HC Deb 12 October 1944 vol 403 cc1921-2
39. Mr. Lipson

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if part-time unpaid A.R.P. wardens and other Civil Defence workers will on retirement be allowed to retain their greatcoats and boots.

38. Commander King-Hall

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether, when part-time members of the Civil Defence forces are demobilised, they will be allowed to retain their uniforms free of charge.

Mr. H. Morrison

It is the wish of the Government that part-time members of Civil Defence Service, including the National Fire Service and the Fire Guard, should be allowed to retain the authorised uniform (including greatcoats and leather boots or shoes), with which they have been supplied for duty purposes. In the case of the Civil Defence General Services and the Fire Guard, the actual decision with regard to retention or withdrawal must rest with the local authority, which has bought the uniform with the aid of grant, but I hope that local authorities will give effect to the Government's wish in this respect and thus show their appreciation of the splendid services which have been rendered without payment by these men and women. In the case of the N.F.S., the retention of the fireman's tunic cannot, on security grounds, be allowed, and it must be surrendered. In lieu of the tunic, part-time members of the N.F.S. will be allowed to retain a set of dungarees. It will be a condition of retention of uniform that all badges and other insignia (except war service chevrons and wound stripes) are to be removed before it is worn on unofficial occasions. Details will be communicated to the responsible authorities as soon as possible.

Mr. Lipson

I wish to thank the right hon. Gentleman for a very satisfactory answer.