HC Deb 25 February 1920 vol 125 cc1685-6
67. Colonel BURN

asked the Minister of Health (1) if he is aware that the Bradford Council has rejected the motion for extending hospitality to the starving children of Central Europe; what steps does he intend to take in the event of other towns in this country Expressing willingness to receive alien children from the countries of our late enemies; (2) whether his attention has been called to the movement on foot to bring starving children from Central Europe to this country; and has any consideration been given to this proposal from the point of view of the public health and possible contagion?

Lieut. - Commander KENWORTHY

May I, before, those questions are answered, ask the right hon. Gentleman whether the official religion of this country is still Christianity?

Dr. ADDISON

That has nothing to do with my answer. With regard to the Bradford Council, I have no information to the effect suggested in the question. Proposals of the kind referred to by the hon. Member have been brought to the attention of the Government and have been discussed between the Foreign Office, the Home Office, and the Ministry of Health. The necessity of safeguarding the health of the people in this country m the event of any such proposals being sanctioned and carried out has been very closely considered and the requisite steps thought out.

Colonel BURN

Docs not my right hon. Friend think it inadvisable that the children of enemy aliens should be brought to this country, and does he not think that any money required for their assistance should be spent or disbursed in their own country?

Dr. ADDISON

I cannot say as to that. I have to consider whether adequate steps are taken to safeguard the health of the community, and that I have done.

Mr. RATCLIFFE

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the Bradford Corporation, whilst refusing to accept 1,000 children to be domiciled in Bradford, voted £1,000 and opened a public subscription to be sent for the relief of the children in the country in which they are living, but that the question is not a fair suggestion of what has been done by the Bradford Corporation?

Dr. ADDISON

I believe that is so.