asked the Secretary of State for War whether he will define the post-war functions of the Home Guard?

Mr. Graham White:

asked the Secretary of State for War whether his attention has been drawn to the speech of Lieutenant-General Sir Arthur Smith, General Officer Commanding London District, to the effect that after the Armistice it would be the duty of the Home Guard to discipline the civil population; and whether it is the policy of His Majesty's Government to use the Home Guard for such purposes?

I would refer the hon. Members to the answer given to my hon. Friend the Member for Deritend (Sir J. Smedley Crooke) on Thursday last.

Since the vast majority of the Home Guard joined up to defend their country in case of invasion, can the Minister not give an assurance now that when that threat is removed they will be able to stop drilling and parading on Sunday mornings?

There was nothing in the remarks of the G.O.C., London district, which militated against that idea. In fact, the remarks have been extremely misrepresented.

Is it the intention of the right hon. Gentleman's Department to continue to make the Home Guard compulsory after the war?

Mr. McNeil:

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he will direct that Home Guards, instead of as at present having to report in full equipment to their respective headquarters following an alert, shall report to the air-raid precautions post nearest their home?

The detailed arrangements for the performance of Civil Defence duty by Home Guards are made locally between the Home Guard unit commander and the appropriate civil authorities. If my hon. Friend has any case in mind which he considers should be looked into, I will gladly do so if he will send me particulars.