EVACUATION. (Hansard, 26 October 1939)

§ 34. Mr. Tomlinson
asked the Minister of Health whether he will consider the postponement of the order calling for payments from parents towards the expenses of their evacuated children in the interests of the evacuation scheme?

§ Mr. Elliot
No, Sir. Arrangements have now been made for these payments to commence as from the 28th instant, that is some eight weeks after the date of the original evacuation. Adequate notice has been given and I am satisfied that there is no good ground for postponement.

§ Mr. Tomlinson
If the scheme cannot be postponed, can it be made widely known that no intensive means test will be applied in these cases?

§ Mr. Elliot
I have done my best to make it widely known, and I am doing my utmost to make sure that the aspect of the matter referred to by the hon. Member is brought to the notice of everyone concerned.

§ Mr. Sorensen
Has the Minister taken into consideration the many extra and unexpected expenses which are incurred by the parents of children who are evacuated?

§ Mr. Elliot
Yes, Sir, all those points were taken into consideration.

§ 35. Mr. Cluse
asked the Minister of Health whether he is aware of the dissatisfaction existing as to the position of the parents of unofficial evacuees; and whether he will give an undertaking that these children will be brought under the existing regulations without having to return to their homes, with the consequent heavy expense to their parents?

§ Mr. Elliot
I am unable to add to the reply which I gave last Thursday to the hon. Member for Islington, North (Dr. Guest) of which I am sending the hon. Member a copy, together with a copy of the circular referred to in my reply.

§ Mr. Cluse
Is the Minister not aware that in that answer the only concession given is with respect to unemployment, and that there is no concession to the man on the panel or to the ordinary citizen who at present is paying for his children in evacuation areas and saving the Government expense?

§ Mr. Elliot
I do not quite recognise the points made by the hon. Member. The matter is set out at some length in the Circular, and it would be impossible to enter into a discussion upon it at this time.

§ 36. Mr. A. Edwards
asked the Minister of Health what arrangements are made for the washing of clothes of children billeted in hotels and boarding houses where there are no facilities for laundering; and how is the cost to be met?

§ Mr. Elliot
In a memorandum which was sent to the local authorities by my 1548 Department on 1st May last it was suggested that where people with whom children are lodged cannot themselves undertake the washing and mending of clothes the responsibility for this might be undertaken by organised voluntary help, and that the matter was one which should be taken up with for instance the local organisation of Women's Voluntary-Services for Civil Defence.

§ Mr. Edwards
Can the Minister say what the position is when such advice has not been taken? Are the children to go without their washing?

§ Mr. Elliot
The payments are intended to cover laundry, and if the hon. Member has any specific case in mind I shall be glad to look into it.

§ Mr. Edwards
Does it mean that where they are boarded in hotels and boarding houses the people with whom they are boarded must do the washing and repairing?

§ Mr. Elliot
The allowances are intended to cover laundry.

§ Mr. Edwards
That does not answer the question. Are the people with whom the children are boarded to carry out that work?

§ Mr. Elliot
The hon. Member will realise that it is impossible to lay down a hard-and-fast regulation to cover all the many variations which may occur, but I have done my best to give a general indication of what the allowances are intended to cover and of action which might be taken in certain cases where for some reason or other the general arrangements cannot be carried out. I have also undertaken to look into any cases which he brings before me.

§ Major-General Sir Alfred Knox
Does the Minister realise that this work is beyond the strength of many people with whom these children are boarded?

§ 40. Rear-Admiral Beamish
asked the Minister of Health whether he can make a further statement concerning the intentions of the London County Council towards provision for the rents of the London homes of blind persons evacuated to the country?

§ Mr. Elliot
I regret that I am not yet in a position to make any further statement on the matter.

§ Rear-Admiral Beamish
Does the Minister realise that complaints are coming from many sources and that the policy of the Government of the richest city in the world in this matter is causing widespread discontent?

§ Mr. Elliot
I understand that the London County Council have this matter under consideration.

§ Rear-Admiral Beamish
Will the right hon. Gentleman urge upon the right hon. Member for South Hackney (Mr. H. Morrison) the possibility of making some temporary arrangement such as guaranteeing the rents for a period of six months and then reviewing the question?

§ Mr. Elliot
I notice that there is keen attention on the part of the right hon. Member for South Hackney (Mr. H. Morrison).

§ 44. Mr. Butcher
asked the Minister of Health whether he is aware that certain evacuated persons, having entered into arrangements for board with their hosts in reception areas, have returned to their homes after drawing allowances but before discharging their obligations; and whether, in cases of proved hardship, such as where old age pensioners, farmworkers and persons of limited income are concerned, he will sanction for grant any allowance that may be made by the local authority of that reception area?

§ Mr. Elliot
I am aware of the case to which my hon. Friend's question refers. I am afraid that where evacuated persons have left their billet without paying an agreed sum for board, the charge cannot be placed upon evacuation funds, but in particular cases I should be prepared to make investigation and I am doing so in this instance.