§ Mr. Gallacherasked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that twice recently, when industrial disputes have broken out at Scottish factories, the Home Guard have been paraded with full equipment, and stood by to prevent any assembly of the men in the various departments, and that on one occasion 1208W the Home Guard attempted the detention of the convenor of shop stewards; and whether he will give an undertaking that this force shall not be used for intimidation or intervention in industrial disputes?
§ Sir E. GriggI am making inquiries into the two cases of which the hon. Member has now given me particulars, and I will let him know the result as soon as I am in a position to do so.
§ Mr. T. Smithasked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that Mr. N. J. Cornwell, a member of the Grantham Home Guard, has been dismissed, without any explanation being afforded, by the commander, who refused any information on the subject; and whether he will make inquiries as to the reason for the dismissal with a view to Mr. Cornwell's reinstatement if the dismissal was unwarranted?
§ Sir E. GriggMy inquiries into this case have not yet been completed. I will write to my hon. Friend as soon as I am in possession of the necessary information.
§ Mr. Grovesasked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that certain local medical war committees have informed general medical practitioners that they are required to provide the essential first-aid treatment of battle casualties and injuries sustained by members of the Home Guard while on duty without fee; when and by whom was the suggestion initiated; does the proposal involve the free supply of drugs, dressings and appliances, the doctor proceeding at his own expense to the casualty, with his instruments and equipment, or will the casualty be brought to the doctor; the free treatment of casualties who are other doctors' patients; and free treatment for casualties resulting from an attempted invasion by the enemy?
§ Sir E. GriggA letter was received from the Central Medical War Committee last July offering the services of the medical profession throughout the country, free of charge, for attendance on members of the Home Guard who sustain casualties while on duty, the arrangements being made through the Central Committee and its local committees. This offer was gratefully accepted by the War Office, and the Central Committee was invited to place its local organisations in touch 1209W with each of the Territorial Army County Associations. The offer is understood to include the free supply of such drugs and dressings as the doctor may have available for the first-aid treatment of the patient, and the circumstances in which the doctor would be called upon to render assistance would be similar to those in which emergency medical treatment is obtained from a doctor in the case of ordinary accidents.