§ 59. Dr. Strossasked the Secretary of State for War what classes of aliens resident in Great Britain are eligible, under his regulations, for enrolment in the Home Guard and what are the regulations governing their enrolment; how far it will be possible to enrol them in groups based on nationality; what special training they are to be given for military duties, either in this country or overseas; and how they are to be officered.
Mr. HutchisonAn alien is eligible for enrolment into the Home Guard provided that he first came to the United Kingdom more than three years before the date of his application for enrolment and that his stay is not subject to a time limit. The detailed conditions are contained in Regulations for the Home Guard, 1952, paragraph 62, as modified by the amendments which were laid before the House yesterday.
Since the Home Guard is a force for local defence in the area of the individual's home, it is not practicable to enrol aliens in units based on nationality, and they will enrol like others in their local battalion and receive normal training for home defence. There will, therefore, be no special arrangements as regards officers.