HC Deb 09 July 1940 vol 362 cc1082-3
72. Mr. Lawson

asked the Minister of Health whether he will consider prohibiting evacuation of any area except under Government control, in view of the fact that any voluntary evacuation must inevitably favour the well-to-do and penalise the poorer sections of the community?

The Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Health (Miss Horsbrugh)

The Government have made it plain that it is the duty of members of the civilian population to stay where they are and carry on with their work unless they receive orders or advice to the contrary, and I have no evidence hitherto that movements from one area to another are having any marked effect on the operation of the Government's scheme for the evacuation of school children. The local authorities in reception areas have wide powers of obtaining the accommodation they require.

Mr. Lawson

In the case of adults residing in an area which has previously been safe and has now become dangerous, has there been any marked evacuation, and have the Government any policy for dealing with a situation of this kind?

Miss Horsbrugh

In certain areas the population has been advised to move from one part to another. In these areas there is a certain amount of control, but in the reception areas the billets are available for the children and property can be requisitioned if necessary.