§ Mr. Isaacsasked the Secretary of State for War whether he has considered, or will consider, the advisability or practicability of making it a condition of membership of the Home Guard that members must accept an obligation to attend a fixed minimum number of attendances at parades each week or month, in view of 1262W the fact that membership of the Home Guard relieves a member of the obligation of attending a fixed number of hours on fire-watching?
§ Captain MargessonThis proposal has been considered, but it was decided that it would not be practicable to enforce such a condition universally, as members of the Home Guard engaged in essential occupations may on occasion be prevented from attending parades for reasons beyond their control. I would, however, remind my hon. Friend that a battalion commander in the Home Guard has the power to discharge members of his battalion who wilfully disregard their obligations, and I think that in matters of this kind we must rely upon his judgment.