HC Deb 15 May 1939 vol 347 cc987-8
61. Sir John Mellor

asked the Minister of Health whether he has yet come to any decisions as to the modification of areas provisionally scheduled as evacuation, neutral, or reception areas?

Mr. Bernays

My right hon. Friend hopes to make a statement at an early date, possibly this week.

67. Sir W. Davison

asked the Lord Privy Seal what arrangements are being made for the evacuation, in case of emergency, of mothers with young children who are not at school, and whose parents have arranged for places in the country to which they can be taken if railway or other travelling facilities are available?

The Lord Privy Seal (Sir John Anderson)

The Government's evacuation plans will not extend to the organisation of transport facilities for mothers with young children who prefer to rely on private arrangements for accommodation, but every endeavour will be made to avoid undue curtailment of facility of movement where it is not against the public interest.

Sir W. Davison

Is it not very desirable that, where parents can provide accommodation, they should not burden the accommodation for which the Government are making provision; and cannot such parents at any rate be informed of the nearest point to which men-children can be taken, to the accommodation reserved for them, seeing that many of them do not possess motor cars?

Mr. Sandys

Would the Lord Privy Seal consider making a statement in the near future of the Government's views as to whether or not it is desirable that these private arrangements should be made on a large scale in evacuation areas?

Sir J. Anderson

Yes, Sir; there will be an opportunity for a more detailed statement during the Committee stage of the Civil Defence Bill, and I think it would be best to endeavour to clear up those points on that occasion.

68. Mr. McEntee

asked the Lord Privy Seal what will be the pay and allowances for those persons, other than teachers, who accompany priority groups one and two, if evacuation of these groups should become necessary; and whether these persons are to be employed in a full-time or part-time capacity?

Sir J. Anderson

As regards those helpers who may volunteer to travel with evacuation parties and remain in the reception areas only for a day or two until the parties are settled in, board and lodging will be provided, and beyond that no question of pay or allowances would appear to arise. No terms of continuous whole-time service of such helpers have been settled, as it is not at present clear how far such service may be required.

Mr. McEntee

Will not blind persons, for instance, require some kind of continuous attention; and will not provision be made for them?

Sir J. Anderson

Certainly, continuous attention will he required in such cases, but the question is whether it will not be possible to rely for this on the services of people in the locality, instead of sending people specially from the evacuation areas.