asked the Secretary of State for War if he will now issue a definite announcement so that those who will be in the Home Guard if an emergency arises may know who will be required, and what will be required of them.

Home Commands have not yet prepared their detailed plans for the raising of a Home Guard in an emergency. In general, the rôle of the Home Guard will be to supplement, where possible in the neighbourhood of their homes, the defences provided by the Regular and Reserve Forces and to relieve these Forces of some of their tasks in order to release them for training and operations.

Can the Minister say how soon these regulations will be issued, or how soon they will be made so that they can be issued?

Instructions will be going out to Home Commands very shortly, and then the commands will have to make their detailed plans.

How long will that take?

Will my right hon. Friend reiterate that by taking an active part in the Civil Defence organisation in the meantime, potential recruits to the Home Guard will make themselves more useful to the Home Guard if and when they are required later on?

That is perfectly correct.