HC Deb 11 September 1941 vol 374 cc326-7W
Mr. R. Morrison

asked the Home Secretary whether he will consider the issue of two free travelling vouchers per year to full-time Civil Defence personnel?

Mr. H. Morrison

Provision was made, as from 1st June, 1941, for the issue of a free holiday fare once a year to whole-time paid Civil Defence personnel serving in areas which have suffered heavy air raids, to enable them to take leave away from the area. I cannot see my way to extending that concession to provide two free fares in a year.

Mr. R. C. Morrison

asked the Home Secretary whether free meals or free food coupons are issued to all sections of full-time Civil Defence personnel; and whether he will give particulars of the amount and value to which persons of each section are entitled?

Mr. Morrison

Whole-time paid members of the Civil Defence Services are normally expected to provide their meals at their own expense, unless required to undertake tours of duty which entail continuous absence from home for substantially longer periods than occur in ordinary working life. Authorities may, however, as a grant-aided service, provide, free of charge, a meal to the value of 1s. (exclusive of overhead charges) to paid personnel kept on continuous duty for 12 hours or more. Where paid personnel are engaged on continuous duty in their home area for periods exceeding one day, and are unable to obtain their meals at home, meals may be provided as necessary at a cost not exceeding 1s. 6d. in each subsequent 24 hours of the continuous duty period. Arrangements for the provision of food free of cost to parties sent away from their home on reinforcement duties or detained for long periods at particular incidents vary in accordance with circumstances.