§ Mr. Grovesasked the Under-Secretary of State for War (1) whether, in view of the fact that the supply of morphia for use in the treatment of Home Guard casualties in the field is only to be distributed if, and when, there is an invasion, he has taken steps to ensure that such distribution will in fact be possible in the case of a battalion covering a large country district;
(2) whether he is aware that the supply of morphia for Home Guard casualties is upon a much smaller scale than is considered necessary for other units of the Army; and what are the grounds for this distinction?
§ Mr. SandysThe supply of morphia for Home Guard casualties is considered adequate in view of the local defence role of Home Guard units. In the case of battalions covering a large country district Home Guard regimental aid posts have been or are in the process of being established and these will contain sufficient morphia for the treatment of Home Guard casualties. In addition, arrangements have been made where necessary for a battle reserve of morphia to be kept ready for issue to isolated posts when invasion is imminent.
§ Mr. Grovesasked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether any instructions for the guidance of medical officers in the Home Guard have been issued; and what steps are taken to ensure that those instructions reach those concerned?
§ Mr. SandysGeneral instructions on the principles of the medical organisation and the duties of Home Guard medical officers have been issued from time to time to all Home Guard officers. The detailed organisation and duties must however be left to be decided by Home Guard battalion medical officers in accordance with local conditions.
§ Mr. Grovesasked the Under-Secretary of State for War what proportion of Home Guard zones are at present provided with zone medical advisers?
§ Mr. SandysMedical advisers have been appointed in more than half the Home Guard zones.