Skip to main content

Colonial Empire (Defence Personnel)

Volume 380: debated on Wednesday 3 June 1942

The text on this page has been created from Hansard archive content, it may contain typographical errors.

21.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies whether it will be arranged that in the formation of Home Guard, Civil Defence and other local units in the Colonial Empire, as far as practicable the natural leadership of the colonial peoples will be respected and all superior ranks be opened to men of capacity and leadership, without regard to colour?

There is no bar on grounds of race or colour to membership of Home Guard and Civil Defence units in the Colonies, and my Noble Friend is confident that selections for the more responsible posts in those organisations are based solely on merit and capacity for leadership.

Will the right hon. Gentleman give serious attention to the development of Home Guard organisations under the natural leadership of the Colonial people involved?