§ Sir G. Jonesasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department why the Civil Defence war gratuity is not given to those members of the Civil Defence whose ranks are above depot superintendent or district warden.
§ Sir D. SomervellI would refer my hon. Friend to the announcement made by my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister on 8th March when he explained fully the principles governing the award of Civil Defence gratuity. I assume that the officers to whom my hon. Friend refers are local authority officers such as A.R.P. Officers and Staff Officers who were employed in connection with the Civil Defence Services under local authority conditions of service. They were not employed under civil defence conditions and are therefore not eligible for gratuity under the principles stated by the Prime Minister.