§ Mr. Hammersleyasked the Secretary of State for War whether he will make it clear that the Local Defence Volunteers is not an organisation instituted for the purpose of drilling, saluting and presenting arms; that its main duties are observation, communication and attack; and that within the ambit of these duties the utmost initiative of the personnel is to be encouraged?
§ Mr. EdenThe main duties of the Local Defence Volunteers are as described by my hon. Friend, and he can be assured that their energies will be directed accordingly.
§ Mr. Cocksasked the Secretary of State for War whether any enemy aliens are now members of the Local Defence Volunteers?
§ Mr. EdenBritish nationality is an essential condition of membership of the Local Defence Volunteers and has been so since the initiation of the Force.
§ Mr. Cocksasked the Secretary of State for War whether, with a view to putting every village into a state of defence, the Local Defence Volunteer units will be given instructions in such matters as the construction of tank traps and obstacles to motor cyclists, and the making of flat pieces of land unsuitable for aerial landings?
§ Mr. EdenThese points have not been overlooked in the instructions which have been issued for the training of Local Defence Volunteers.
§ Sir H. Morris-Jonesasked the Secretary of State for War whether the Government will commandeer the large stock of steel helmets which are now in shops, and which are being bought by ex-service men in the Local Defence Volunteers at present out of their own pockets?
§ Mr. EdenSteel helmets will be issued to Local Detence Volunteers in due 687W course. It is considered desirable that these helmets should be of the standard type supplied from ordnance stores.