HC Deb 21 March 1940 vol 358 cc2110-1
48. Sir T. Moore

asked the Minister of Health what action he proposes to take to ensure that householders in seaside resorts will be freed from their evacuees during the summer season in order that they may be enabled to accept their customary holiday visitors and so pay their rents for the year?

The Minister of Health (Mr. Elliot)

The extent to which it may be possible to carry out the suggestions of my hon. Friend during the summer season must depend on the local circumstances and on the extent to which the billeting authorities may be able to re-arrange the billets in the area. It is largely a question of householders being prepared to co-operate with the billeting authorities by helping one another.

Sir T. Moore

Can my right hon. Friend make some suggestion to local authorities by which these unfortunate people will be able to live?

Mr. Elliot

Yes, Sir. We have made suggestions to them, and they are at present carrying out the compilation of a roll by which, let us hope, it will be possible for some rearrangement to take place.

49. Mr. Sorensen

asked the Minister of Health whether he can make any statement respecting particulars of the new evacuation scheme; and how many schoolchildren have now been sent or, approximately, will be sent during the next three months to school camps in connection with evacuation?

Mr. Elliot

The registration by the parents of children in the evacuation areas and the enrolment of householders in the reception areas are proceeding, and the travelling, billeting, medical and educational arrangements are being worked out at conferences between the evacuating and receiving authorities. As regards the second part of the Question, arrangements are being made at the moment for the occupation of 22 camps, each capable of taking parties of 250 to 290 children. Of these camps, four are already in occupation, containing 754 children.

Mr. Sorensen

Shall we have an early opportunity of discussing this matter and receiving some report as to the progress of the scheme?

Mr. Elliot

That is not a question for me.

50. Mr. Sorensen

asked the Minister of Health whether any decision has yet been reached concerning extra billeting allowances for evacuated teachers?

Mr. Elliot

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply which I gave to the hon. Member for English Universities (Mr. E. Harvey) on 12th March, of which I am sending him a copy.