§ Mr. Dobbieasked the Home Secretary whether he is aware of the great dissatisfaction existing in the various emergency committees and local authorities and also among the air-raid wardens in the country at his decision to call in the uniforms of the air-raid wardens; will he state the reason for this decision; and will he now cancel this instruction?
§ Sir J. AndersonI would refer my hon. Friend to the reply which I gave on 31st July to a Question by the hon. Member for West Lewisham (Mr. Brooke).
§ Mr. Lunnasked the Home Secretary whether he is aware that there are many air-raid wardens in the country who have for more than two years been giving the whole of their leisure time to Civil Defence and are efficient and well equipped to deal with all forms of air-raid precautions; that they are now registering under the Military Service Acts, 1408W and in some areas more than 50 per cent. will be called up to join the fighting services; and, as it is not in the national interest to allow these men to go and to start training new men for this vital civil defence service, will he state what is to be their position?
§ Sir J. AndersonI am watching closely the effect upon the air-raid wardens' service of the calling up of wardens for military service, but on the information before me I should not feel justified in asking that wardens as such should be included in the Schedule of Reserved Occupations.