§ Mr. Grovesasked the Minister of Health whether he will give an assurance that medical officers in the Home Guard who 1007W have obligations to civilian air-raid precautions authorities will not be prevented by their Home Guard duties from fulfilling those obligations?
§ Mr. E. BrownThe fact that the enrolment of medical practitioners in the Home Guard requires the previous consent of the local medical war committee, which is aware of the professional commitments of practitioners in its area, should secure that Home Guard appointments are not inconsistent with the fulfilment of any Civil Defence obligations which the practitioners may have undertaken.
§ Mr. Grovesasked the Minister of Health in how many cases his attention, or that of his regional officers, has been called to the attempts of medical officers of health to prevent the appointment of medical officers in the Home Guard on the grounds that such officers will be required in emergency to give their services to the local authorities; and whether he will take steps to inform medical officers of health that the decision on such questions rests with him and not with them?
§ Mr. BrownI could not say without special inquiry whether the situation indicated in the first part of the Question has arisen. If my hon. Friend will send me particulars of any such case which he may have in mind I will look into it and take such action as is appropriate.