Colonel A. Evansasked the Secretary of State for War whether he will clearly define the function of the Local Defence Volunteers in the event of invasion, especially their liaison with the Regular Forces; and whether they will be used to prevent unauthorised and dangerous evacuation of civilians from threatened areas?
§ Mr. EdenThe main functions of the Local Defence Volunteers in the event of invasion are to obtain information and communicate it to the appropriate military authority, and to guard such points as may be assigned to them. The local military commander, under whose orders they are, may call upon them in emergency to assist the Regular troops in preventing unregulated civilian movement.
§ Mr. Cocksasked the Home Secretary whether ex-service men, who became air wardens in the early days of the war, can be given permission to join the Local Defence Volunteers?
§ Sir J. AndersonAs I stated in reply to a Question by the hon. Member for Brecon and Radnor (Mr. Jackson) on 6th June, local authorities already have discretion, to agree to members of their air-raid precautions services joining the Local Defence Volunteers, provided that this can be done without impairing the efficiency of the Civil Defence organisation of the area.