§ Captain Markhamasked the Secretary of State for War, whether he has considered a letter from the hon. Member for South Nottingham dated 4th February, drawing his attention to the dismissal of Mr. C. H. Markham from the Home Guard on the grounds of his services with air-raid precautions; and whether an answer can now be given?
§ Captain MargessonI am afraid that I can find no trace of the receipt of my hon. and gallant Friend's letter of 4th February. I have, however, now looked into the case to which he refers, and I find that Mr. C. H. Markham was discharged from the Home Guard on the ground that his duties as an air raid warden would prevent him from carrying out his Home Guard duties in an emergency. This decision was taken after consultation with the local air-raid precautions authorities. It was not confined to Mr. Markham, and is in no way a reflection on his services as a member of the Home Guard.