§ 64. Mr. Woodsasked the Minister of Health whether he can give an estimate of the following costs: the initial cost and the subsequent weekly cost to the Government of the evacuation scheme; the initial costs and the subsequent weekly cost to local authorities in reception areas 1956 in respect of expanded education and social services; and the weekly cost being met by local authorities in evacuated areas in respect of maintenance and interest charges on capital equipments not now in use?
§ Mr. ElliotIt is estimated that the initial cost to the Government of the evacuation scheme, including the provision for preparatory measures in the Supplementary Estimates for England and Wales and Scotland of 14th July, 1939, and the probable cost of transport, will be in the neighbourhood of £ 2,000,000. The weekly expenditure on billeting is approximately £ 450,000. No information is available at present upon which to base an estimate of the costs of expanded services in reception areas, or the expenditure in evacuated areas in respect of capital equipments not fully used which may result from the evacuation scheme.
§ Lieut.-Colonel Acland-TroyteCan the right hon. Gentleman assure us that no people who have voluntarily returned after evacuation will have their evacuation fares paid a second time?
§ Mr. ElliotI think it would be better not to make any statement of that kind.
§ Sir S. ReedWill the right hon. Gentleman at the same time make inquiries as to the costs falling upon those who have received these evacuated children?
§ Mr. ElliotIt would be impossible to state how much the country is indebted to those in the reception areas who have very generously spent their scanty resources to help either with clothing or in other ways. We are very deeply indebted to them.