§ 34. Mr. LINDSAYasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether His Majesty's Government has been approached for the necessary permission to admit starving children from Central Europe to receive hospitality in this country; if so, whether he is aware of the feeling that such permission would arouse amongst the people of this country against the reception of these children of former alien enemies and their association with British children; and whether, apart altogether from the humanitarian side of the question, he will consider the desirability of food and other necessaries being taken to these children in their own countries rather than that assistance should be given them in this country?
§ The SECRETARY of STATE for the HOME DEPARTMENT (Mr. Shortt)Yes, Sir. As the Prime Minister stated on the 26th February, the Government have approved a scheme for the reception in this country of a number of Austrian children, subject to proper safeguards against the introduction of disease. I do not believe that the view suggested in the second paragraph of the question prevails to any considerable extent. I am satisfied that, over and above any arrangements to the effect suggested in the third paragraph of the question, it is proper and desirable for this country to offer hospitality, under suitable conditions, to starving Austrian children.