§ Mr. Bensonasked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that the members of companies of Local Defence Volunteers are being asked to subscribe funds to meet the administration costs of the district commands, including office rents, telephone charges, lighting, stationery, postage, etc.; and whether he will take steps to see that the necessary costs of local defence are borne out of national funds?
§ Mr. EdenI understand that, in some cases, Local Defence Volunteers have been invited to pay subscriptions, but instructions have been issued which make it clear that necessary expenditure of the kind referred to can be met from public funds.
§ Mr. Denmanasked the Secretary of State for War whether the widow and dependants of an officer who has joined the Local Defence Volunteers and been killed in the course of his duties with that body will lose any service pension rights they would otherwise have enjoyed?
§ Mr. EdenThe widows and children concerned will not lose any service pension rights they would otherwise have 49W enjoyed, but the question whether any additional award will be payable in these circumstances is under consideration.