CIVIL DEFENCE (ENROLMENT ELIGIBILITY)

HC Deb 25 May 1950 vol 475 cc2228-30

41. Captain John Crowder

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department to what extent ex-Service men in the Class Z Reserve and former members of the Home Guard are eligible for service in the Civil Defence Corps; and if he will make a statement explaining exactly who is allowed to enrol in this corps.

Mr. Ede

Male Class Z reservists aged 40 or over are eligible for service in all sections of the Civil Defence Corps; those between 30 and 40 are, with certain exceptions, eligible for service in the Rescue and Pioneer Sections; those below the age of 30 are ineligible. There is no restriction on the enrolment of former members of the Home Guard. With regard to the last part of the Question, as a statement of the conditions of eligibility is long and complicated, I will, with permission, circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

Captain Crowder

Would the Home Secretary consider sending the information he proposes to circulate in the OFFICIAL REPORT to local authorities, who are trying to get recruits?

Mr. Ede

Yes, I think that would be a good idea.

Following are the conditions of eligibility for enrolment in the Civil Defence Corps:

Age Limits

1. Subject to paragraphs 2 and 3 below, recruitment to the Civil Defence Corps is open to:

1. (a) men and women aged 30 and over;
2. (b) for the ambulance section only: women of 18 and over;
3. (c) men of 18 to 29 who have been declared unfit for H.M. Forces but who are sufficiently fit for service with the Corps.

Ineligible Categories

2. The following men and women are not eligible for enrolment whatever their age:—

• Serving members of H.M. Forces.
• Members of the Territorial Army, Auxiliary Forces or Volunteer Reserves of H.M. Forces.
• Members of the Royal Observer Corps.
• Members of the Merchant Navy.
• Members of the Police Services.
• Members of the Fire Services.
• Members of the Medical, Nursing or Midwifery Professions.
• Members of the National Hospital Service Reserve.
• Members of the Ambulance Service (whole-time).
• Regular Reservists in the organised Reserves.
• Royal Navy or Royal Marine Officers on the Retired or Emergency Lists.
• Retired Officers of the Royal Air Force unless they have the permission of the Air Ministry.
• Forces Pensioners still liable to recall.

Class Z (or equivalent) Reservists

3. Men in Class Z (or equivalent) Reserves may be accepted for part-time service if they are aged 40 or over.

Men aged 30–39 may be accepted for part-time service in:—

1. (i) the Rescue Section;
2. (ii) the Pioneer Section (Decontamination, Debris Clearance, Disposal of the Dead and Demolition Sub-Sections only)

if they served in:—

1. (a) the Royal Air Force;
2. (b) the Army, in one of the following Arms or Corps:—
• Royal Armoured Corps.
• Household Cavalry.
• Royal Artillery (other than men who were serving on the posted strength of an Anti-Aircraft or Searchlight Unit of the Royal Artillery at the time of, or prior to, their release).
• Infantry and Foot Guards.
• Royal Army Service Corps.
• Royal Army Education Corps.
• Royal Pioneer Corps.
3. (c) the Royal Navy otherwise than in one of the following capacities:
• Chief Rigger, Rigger, Rigger's Mate.
• Petty Officer, Leading Seaman, Able Seaman (Harbour Defence Operator).
• Chief Petty Officer, Petty Officer, Leading Seaman, Able Seaman (Controlled Mining).
• Petty Officer Wireman, Leading Wire-man, Wireman (Controlled Mining).
• Chief Petty Officer Coder, Petty Officer Coder, Leading Coder, Coder.
• Electrical Artificers (all classes).
• Petty Officer Wireman, Leading Wire-man (L).
• Chief Petty Officer Air Fitter, Petty Officer Air Fitter, Leading Air Fitter, Air Fitter (L).
• Chief Petty Officer Air Mechanic, Petty Officer Air Mechanic, Leading Air Mechanic, Air Mechanic (L).
• Signalman, Ordinary Signalman.
• Telegraphist, Ordinary Telegraphist.
• Chief Petty Officer Radio Mechanic, Petty Officer Radio Mechanic, Leading Radio Mechanic, Radio Mechanic.

4. The restrictions on the recruitment of Class Z (or equivalent) Reservists do not apply to women.

5. The liability of Class Z (or equivalent) Reservists to return to the Colours for full-time service, if called upon, over-rides any part-time obligations which they undertake in the Civil Defence Corps.