§ Sir A. Lambert Wardasked the Secretary of State for War whether he has yet come to a decision with regard to the subsistence allowances of the Home Guard, as much discontent and many resignations are being caused by the subsistence allowance of the Home Guard being exactly half that allowed to fire watchers?
§ Captain MargessonVarious matters in connection with the subsistence allowances of the Home Guard are at present under review and it is not possible to make an announcement at the moment. Fresh instructions will be issued as soon as the review is complete. The rate authorised for fire-watchers will certainly be taken into account in this connection.
§ Mr. Grovesasked the Secretary of State for War whether he will raise the age of 194W enlistment for Home Guard medical officers, since over-age doctors who are still in practice must necessarily be employed but cannot benefit from classes of instruction, etc., unless they are actually enrolled in the Home Guard?
§ Captain MargessonCases of this kind are considered on their merits. In general the upper age limit is not strictly enforced in the case of medical practitioners wishing to enrol as medical officers in the Home Guard, provided that they are fit.
§ Mr. Grovesasked the Secretary of State for War whether medical officers of the Home Guard who desire to be mobilised for whole time service in the event of invasion, and providing they have no other commitments, will be permitted to do so?
§ Captain MargessonIn the event of invasion medical officers in the Home Guard will render such services as circumstances demand and permit. Those with no other commitments will be able to perform full-time duty.
§ Mr. Grovesasked the Secretary of State for War whether he will authorise further courses of instruction for Home Guard medical officers: and whether he will arrange that such shall not firstly be advertised in the lay Press, but that information and applications take place through the usual military channels?
§ Captain MargessonA course for Home Guard medical officers has been arranged for next month, and further courses will be held as found necessary. Instructions and information regarding such courses are issued through the normal military channels.
§ Mr. Grovesasked the Secretary of State for War whether it is the considered policy of his Department that zone medical advisers of the Home Guard should be appointed from among the whole-time servants of local authorities; and, if so, whether he will give an assurance that such officers have sufficient time for the duties which will be imposed upon them?
§ Captain MargessonIn order to avoid undue interference with the medical organisation of the locality, it has been decided that no medical practitioner may be enrolled in the Home Guard unless previous permission has been given by the local medical war committee, which 195W is aware of the professional commitments of practitioners in its areas. This should ensure that Home Guard appointments are not inconsistent with the fulfilment of a practitioner's existing obligations.
§ Mr. Grovesasked the Secretary of State for War whether he will consider the advisability of authorising the wearing of the narrow cerise flash by Home Guard medical officers, such as those which distinguish other members of the Army medical services?
§ Captain MargessonIt is not the practice for members of the Home Guard to wear the badges of different arms. Medical officers in the Home Guard wear the Red Cross brassard, and I do not consider that any advantage would be gained by adding a cerise flash.