§ 35. Mr. ORMSBY-GOREasked the Prime Minister whether any applications-have been received from persons in this country willing to adopt temporarily destitute orphan children under ten years of age from the city of Vienna: whether permission has been refused, and on what grounds: and whether large numbers of the destitute orphans are being so adopted by families in Italy, France and Belgium with the approval of the Italian, French and Belgian Governments?
§ The PRIME MINISTERA scheme has been submitted by responsible persons to the Home Secretary for bringing a number of Austrian children to the United Kingdom, where they could be placed in suitable surroundings. Subject to the Ministry of Health being satisfied that proper precautions will be taken to safeguard the health of the people of this country, the scheme has been approved and the details are now being worked out in consultation between the Home Office and the Ministry of Health. I understand large numbers of Austrian children have been sent to other countries, but I have no information as to the arrangements made for their reception.
§ Sir C. KINLOCH-COOKEWill the right hon. Gentleman take steps to see that there is enough milk to go round?
§ The PRIME MINISTERThat is one of the considerations the Ministry of Health will take into account.
§ Mr. DEVLINWould it not be better that the funds collected for this purpose should be sent from this country, in order to keep these children at home instead of bringing them to a foreign country?
§ The PRIME MINISTERI am rather doubtful about that. The difficulty is getting food there.
§ Mr. DEVLINWhy not buy food here-and send it there?