§ 38. Mr. Parkerasked the Under-Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs what progress has been made with the proposals for evacuating children overseas; and whether he can give approximate figures as to the number of children, British and foreign, respectively, who have left the country in the last four months privately, and under the Government scheme?
§ The Under-Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs (Mr. Shakespeare):Figures for the four-months period are not available. During the three months ending August, 1940, however, the number of British children aged 5 to 15 years, who had their normal residence in the United Kingdom and who left the 477 country under private arrangements for the Dominions and the United States of America were 4,579 and 1,617 respectively. The number of aliens aged 0–15 years, who had their normal residence in the United Kingdom and who left in the same period for the Dominions and the United States of America were 46 and 359 respectively. The number of children who have arrived safely at their destinations in the Dominions—or are nearing their destinations—under the Children's Overseas Reception Scheme is 2,666. There was no movement under the scheme to the United States of America. As the hon. Member will be aware, the scheme has been suspended for the time being.