HC Deb 21 August 1940 vol 364 c1295
41. Mr. Hicks

asked the Minister of Information whether his letter, of 19th July, is intended to urge the people who live in the Defence Areas to quit their homes and transfer themselves to some other areas; if so, will he also indicate the areas in which they can find accommodation; and who is to meet the costs of removal?

The Minister of Information (Mr. Duff Cooper)

My letter of 19th July was intended to impress on the public that if and when an invasion occurred, they should stay where they were, but that meanwhile voluntary evacuation of persons not in employment might be encouraged in those cases where it was deemed advisable by local notification. The Government do not accept responsibility for finding accommodation for or meeting the expenses of, persons who evacuate Defence Areas otherwise than under an official Government scheme, nor can I undertake to indicate the areas in which accommodation can be secured.

Mr. Hicks

Do I understand from the right hon. Gentleman that they are to stay where they are and quit at the same time? In so far as people are affected from Berwick-on-Tweed to Poole in Dorset, and are about 35 miles inland, can he give me some indication of how people should behave in those areas?

Mr. Cooper

The short answer is that people, if invasion starts, should stay where they are, but meanwhile in certain districts to which notification was given it was desirable that many people not actively employed on important work should quit these districts prior to the possibility of invasion.