HC Deb 07 November 1940 vol 365 cc1421-3
26. Mr. Thurtle

asked the Minister of Health whether he is aware that old age pensioners and other elderly people who have agreed to be evacuated from London to institutions in safer areas, under assurances that they would not be deprived of their liberty, and would be treated with consideration, are in some cases being kept confined within the institutions, and that their food leaves much to be desired; and will he remedy this immediately?

Mr. M. MacDonald

I am not aware of any dissatisfaction, but I shall be glad to have any specific case or cases brought to my notice in order that they may be looked into.

Mr. Thurtle

When these cases, which are widespread, are brought to my right hon. Friend's attention, will he act promptly, as otherwise the process of getting elderly people out of London will be seriously checked?

Mr. MacDonald

Yes, Sir. If there are cases of persons whose liberty is being interfered with, we shall certainly send immediate instructions on the point.

27. Mr. G. Strauss

asked the Minister of Health whether he will amend his evacuation scheme to enable the old and infirm who are unable to find billets on their own account, to be evacuated from London?

Mr. MacDonald

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply given to the hon. Members for Finsbury (Mr. Woods) and West Leyton (Mr. Sorensen) yesterday.

Mr. Strauss

While I appreciate the difficulties referred to in that reply, can the right hon. Gentleman say that it is the policy of the Government to get these people out of London as soon as possible?

Mr. MacDonald

Yes, Sir. We are trying, as was indicated in the reply, to come to some special arrangement with regard to these people. I do not know how far we can extend this, because the difficulties are very considerable and are generally recognised. We shall, however, get them out as quickly as we can.

28. Mr. Lindsay

asked the Minister of Health whether, in view of the magnitude of the problems involved in the evacuation, reception, and billeting of large numbers of people throughout the country, he will review the arrangements existing between the Ministry of Health and Regional Commissioners?

Mr. MacDonald

Some ten days ago I had a discussion on this matter with the Regional Commissioners and my Senior Regional Officers. I shall continue in touch with them on the important problems involved.

Mr. Lindsay

Is my right hon. Friend aware that many of these people are really war casualties, suffering from shock, and that there is an absence of bedding, cooking utensils, and boots and shoes, and will he consider the further use of large houses as communal shelters, and, if necessary, appoint a welfare officer in the regional area to deal with these specific problems?

Mr. MacDonald

That involves a number of questions which I am not sure that I can keep in my mind. With regard to welfare officers, we are already appointing them for this purpose. With regard to the other matters, such as bedding, my Department has issued hundreds of thousands of blankets and mattresses for this purpose during the last few months. On all these questions we are in touch with the regional authorities, although I appreciate that there is a good deal that we can still do to improve the situation.

Mr. Lindsay

Am I to understand that welfare officers have been appointed in the Home Counties and elsewhere?

Mr. MacDonald

Yes, in a number of regions. It is our policy to have these welfare officers appointed wherever the problem arises.