§ 65. Mr. McEnteeasked the Minister of Health whether his attention has been drawn to a resolution of the Walthamstow Education Committee dealing with the difficulties of keeping many of the children, evacuated under the Government scheme, adequately clothed and shod, which are causing much anxiety to both reception and evacuation authorities and to the parents and foster-parents of the children, and to the children much unnecessary suffering; and whether he will give authority to the reception areas to provide clothing and boots where necessary for the health of the children?
§ The Minister of Health (Mr. Elliot)My attention has been drawn to the resolution in question. I recognise that the task of keeping the children adequately clothed and shod causes difficulty and anxiety to both reception and evacuation authorities, and I greatly appreciate the assistance which they and the voluntary organisations are giving. The primary responsibility of providing their children wth boots and clothing must continue to rest on the parents, and I do not think that I should be justified in adopting the suggestion made in the Question. I am sending the hon. Member a copy of a circular which I sent to local authorities on 7th November, which indicates a number of ways in which such provision can be made in case of need.
§ Mr. McEnteeIs it not true that many of those children, in spite of the matters mentioned in the circular, are suffering very great hardship; and will the right hon. Gentleman not give the reception areas an opportunity to provide clothing and boots where necessary?
§ Mr. ElliotI doubt whether the suggestion made by the hon. Member would help to solve the problem.
§ Mr. TomlinsonWill the right hon. Gentleman consult the Secretary of State for Scotland as to how this, can be solved, and how it is solved in Scotland?
§ Mr. ElliotI was once Secretary of State for Scotland myself.