HC Deb 13 May 1952 vol 500 cc95-6W
74. Mr. Emrys Hughes

asked the Secretary of State for War how many persons have enrolled in the Home Guard in Scotland.

Mr. Head

Enrolment returns will be rendered monthly and the first figures are, therefore, not yet available.

Mr. Alport

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he will reconsider the decision to allow applicants having Reserve obligations to enrol in the Home Guard, particularly if the former are engaged in reserved occupation or are of an age which makes it unlikely for them to be called on to fulfil their Reserve obligations in the event of an emergency.

Mr. Head

My hon. Friend is perhaps under a misapprehension, since the only reservists specifically barred from enrolment in the Home Guard are paid Regular Army reservists of Sections A, B and D of the Royal Army Reserve and members of the Supplementary Reserve_ Permission for a reservist of other classes to enrol is only withheld if the man is likely to be needed in the very earlier stages of mobilisation.