§ Sir J. Lucasasked the Secretary of State for War whether a member of the Home Guard who puts on his uniform during an air raid and turns out to help the civil population, without being ordered to do so, will be considered to he on duty should he receive injury?
§ Mr. EdenA member of the Home Guard can be considered as on duty only when he is performing Home Guard duties in accordance with instructions issued to him by the competent authority. The same rule applies to a soldier on leave, since the latter, if not on military duty, would not be eligible for the benefits of the Ministry of Pensions Warrant. If, however, a Home Guard suffered a war injury in the circumstances stated, he would be eligible for consideration for an award under the Personal Injuries (Civilians) Scheme, provided that he were a gainfully occupied person.