11. Miss Cazaletasked the Minister of Health why the numbers for each of the national camps have been reduced from 290 to 240, in spite of the fact that the larger number was sanctioned by his Department and the Board of Education?
§ Mr. E. BrownThe question of the number of children to be admitted to these camps was very carefully examined from the point of view of the maintenance of the children's health in conditions of permanent occupation in war-time, and, on the advice of my medical officers, I concluded that, to mitigate the danger of infection being spread among the children, not more than 48 children should be accommodated in each dormitory. This is the equivalent of 240 children in the five dormitories which constitute the maximum accommodation per camp.
Miss CazaletDoes this mean that there are 1,500 fewer children going to the camps now than was originally intended?
§ Mr. BrownIt means that the total at each camp has gone down from 290 to 240. The hon. Lady should remember that the camps were set up for periods of temporary occupation in Summer-time. They are now being used for permanent occupation all the year round, which is a very different matter, and I have very heavy medical responsibilities here.