Miss Wardasked the Secretary of State for War how many officers engaged on training the Home Guard are on indefinite leave as a result of the stand-down.
§ Sir J. GriggSince the stand-down of the Home Guard about 1,650 officers hitherto engaged on training the Home Guard have been posted to Infantry Holding Battalions pending consideration of their future employment. Of these, approximately 300 have already been posted to other duty. The scrutiny of the remainder is continuing as rapidly as possible. The sudden influx of 1,650 officers into these Holding Battalions has aggravated accommodation difficulties in some cases. Some of these officers have, therefore, been permitted to go on temporary leave while their future employment is being considered. The number varies 49W from day to day and I regret that the figure asked for by the hon. Lady is not readily available.