§ 23. Sir I. Fraserasked the Secretary of State for War if he will now appoint or designate regional and battalion commanders and cadre staffs for the Home Guard.
§ Mr. StracheyHome Commands have been instructed to prepare lists of battalion commanders suitable and willing to accept appointments if and when the Home Guard is raised. It is not possible to consider the earmarking of regional commanders until home commands' orders of battle are completed. With regard to the provision of cadre staffs, I would refer the hon. Member to my statement during the debate on the Army Estimates on 8th March.
§ Sir I. FraserIf the preliminary arrangements for local commanders, regional commanders, etc., is to wait until war breaks out, surely there will be a very great muddle, instead of having the Service ready?
§ Mr. StracheyNo, Sir. The lists of battalion commanders, as I have just stated, are being made up now.
§ Mr. Duncan SandysDoes the right hon. Gentleman mean by that answer that it is his intention, as soon as he receives these recommendations, to make appointments, because surely he realises that until appointments are made, no effective preparatory planning can be done?
§ Mr. StracheyNo, Sir. As I have said, this is a question of preparing lists and not of making the actual appointments. I do not agree that no effective preparatory planning can be done in these circumstances.
§ Sir I. FraserHow can the right hon. Gentleman prepare lists of persons for possible jobs without asking them whether they are willing to serve, or without taking into account whether they are offering their services elsewhere?
§ Mr. StracheyI have made no statement that they will not be asked whether they will be willing to serve; they will be asked.
§ Major Legge-BourkeWill they be informed that they will be on the lists?
§ Mr. StracheyCertainly.