§ 17. Commander King-Hallasked the Minister of Health whether, as the chief reason for not evacuating children from vulnerable areas is the unwillingness of parents to acquiesce in this operation whilst it remains on a voluntary basis, he will consider increasing the ability of the air-raid precautions services successfully to deal with damage by putting the evacuation scheme on a compulsory basis before an air attack takes place?
22. Mr. David Adamsasked the Minister of Health whether he is prepared to give immediate and favourable consideration to requests from local authorities that they should be empowered compulsorily to evacuate all schoolchildren, invalids and aged persons under their jurisdiction, whenever it is decided that such action is necessary?
Mr M. MacDonaldApart from other considerations, arising both in evacuation and reception areas, my information from all parts of the country is that a considerable proportion of parents would not co-operate in any scheme for their compulsory separation from their children. The Government's policy therefore is to encourage to the maximum extent possible the registration of schoolchildren for voluntary evacuation, and steps are being taken to achieve this. With regard to 638 the evacuation of invalids and aged persons I have nothing to add to previous answers on the subject.
§ Commander King-HallWhat actual steps are being taken to persuade parents to co-operate in a matter which is, clearly, in the Government's view, essential, having regard to the orders which have been given; and has it not now gone beyond the time when we ought to have compulsion?
Mr. David AdamsIs the Minister not fully aware of the fact that the refusal of parents to agree to the children being evacuated, may mean, in the event of air raids, the destruction of a great deal of child life?
Mr. MacDonaldWe have taken all considerations into account and as a result of that, we have, quite deliberately, come to the conclusion—with which I think the vast majority of the local authorities concerned agree—that we should continue this as a voluntary scheme. With regard to my hon. and gallant Friend's Question, certain further steps are being taken this evening which will be announced in due course.
Vice-Admiral TaylorIs my right hon. Friend aware that it will be impossible under a voluntary system to secure the evacuation of all these children; and as it is in the interest of the children themselves and the country that they should be evacuated, is it not necessary for the Government to make it compulsory?
§ 18. Mr. R. C. Morrisonasked the Minister of Health whether he will arrange an evacuation plan for old people?
Mr. MacDonaldPlans for the evacuation of school children are already taxing accommodation in the reception areas very severely, and I am afraid that it is not practicable to include within the Government's evacuation scheme special arrangements for the removal of large numbers of old people.
§ Mr. MorrisonWill my right hon. Friend acquaint himself with the proposal which was made by the Government in September, 1938, during the Munich crisis, to pay the fares of old people who could get accommodation with friends or relatives in the country; and is he aware that if an offer were made, to provide free transport for such old people, thousands 639 who have friends and relatives in the country would take advantage of it?
§ Mrs. TateIn view of the very acute shortage of accommodation in the country, not only for children, but for land workers—[Interruption].
23. Mr. David Adamsasked the Minister of Health whether powers will immediately be taken to enable local authorities to take over large houses and other buildings in relatively safe areas for purposes of housing evacuees from dangerous areas, recognising that the unpopularity of private billeting is a principal reason for large numbers of schoolchildren and others now being in danger areas?
Mr. MacDonaldIn dealing with the large-scale evacuation of schoolchildren, billeting in private houses must continue to be the main method on which we depend, since there is no other form of accommodation which could be made available on the necessary scale. I have, however, informed local authorities in a memorandum, of which I am sending the hon. Member a copy, that I am ready to entertain proposals for the establishment of hostels in suitable cases where the difficulties of finding suitable accommodation for children cannot otherwise be solved.
§ Mr. HicksWould the right hon. Gentleman consider publishing in the Official Report the circular referred to, so that the information contained therein may be available for all?
Mr. David AdamsMay I ask whether at the same time there will be an extension of the camp school movement and a provision of additional camps?
Mr. MacDonaldIn so far as camps are available, for this purpose certainly, but it is impossible at this stage, owing to other requirements, to expect any large extension of that accommodation in the near future.
§ Lieut-Colonel Sir Thomas MooreAre the Government prepared to provide equipment and furniture for these houses should the local authorities take them over?
Mr. MacDonaldCertainly, in one way or another, the Government will have to be satisfied with the accommodation.
§ 68. Mr. Hamilton Kerrasked the Home Secretary whether he will issue an instruction that, in the event of air raids on this country, the civil population shall remain quietly at home, and not attempt to evacuate in mass unless a definite order is received from the local authorities?
§ Sir J. AndersonYes, Sir. Action is being taken in the sense indicated in the Question.