HC Deb 04 July 1940 vol 362 cc984-6
18. Mr. Cocks

asked the Minister of Health whether the Government will now order the compulsory evacuation of women and children from certain vulnerable areas?

The Minister of Health (Mr. Malcolm MacDonald)

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply which I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Islington, East (Miss Cazalet) on 20th June, to which I hive nothing to add.

Mr. Cocks

Will the Minister give the substance of that answer, because I do not know what it was?

Mr. MacDonald

In effect, it was that in cases of military necessity we should not hesitate to introduce the compulsory evacuation of women and children, but in the absence of such necessity we would continue to rely upon voluntary evacuation.

Mr. Loftus

Is the Minister aware that posters have been put up in certain towns specifying that certain categories of workers must remain, and would not they resent their wives being compulsorily evacuated if they wished to remain with them?

Vice-Admiral Taylor

Is the right hon. Gentleman not aware of the great danger of being too late in this matter of evacuation? It is much better to do it now.

21. Mrs. Adamson

asked the Minister of Health how many children under five years of age remained in evacuation areas on 1st June last; and how many have since been evacuated?

Mr. MacDonald

The information asked for in the first part of the Question is not available; about 1,500 children under five have left evacuation areas since 1st June under the Government scheme.

24. Sir Ernest Graham-Little

asked the Minister of Health whether his attention has been drawn to the necessity of evacuating from vulnerable areas expectant mothers in the later stages of pregnancy, whose names and addresses can be readily ascertained owing to the present system of reporting such patients at hospitals, with approximate dates of expected delivery; and whether he will take immediate action to preserve from danger this vitally important element of the community?

Mr. MacDonald

Yes, Sir. Detailed plans have been prepared, as they were before the operation of the evacuation scheme last September, for the evacuation of expectant mothers, and for their accommodation in reception areas. Arrange- merits are in force in all evacuation areas, under which any expectant mothers who wish to do so may register for evacuation under the Government scheme. A number of women in the later stages of pregnancy are already being sent out at frequent intervals from London and other towns to reception areas, and facilities are ready for much larger numbers if the demand increases, or if circumstances make it desirable.