§ Mr. Bossomasked the Secretary of State for War whether he will define the responsibility of members of the Home Guard as to fire-watching at their places of employment and also in the localities in which they live?
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§ Mr. LawUnder the provisions of the Fire Prevention (Business Premises) Order and the Civil Defence Duties (Compulsory Enrolment) Order, 1941, members of the Home Guard are exempt from liability to undertake fire prevention duties either at business premises or at their places of residence. This does not, however, preclude them from assisting in fire prevention duties when their other duties permit, and many are voluntarily giving such assistance, particularly in the case of members of factory and similar units who would naturally help in extinguishing fire bombs which fell on the buildings where they were on guard. Home Guard units may, of course, be ordered by the proper military authority as part of their military duties to render temporary assistance to the Civil Defence services in dealing with fire bombs.