§ 18. Mr. Mathersasked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he is aware that certain householders who have persons billeted upon them under the Gov- 679 ernnent evacuation scheme endeavour to get rid of these persons by removing all furniture from the allotted space except the bare amount required by law; and whether he proposes to take any action?
§ The Secretary of State for Scotland (Mr. T. Johnston)The vast majority of householders have shown themselves willing to do all they can to ensure the comfort of persons who have been billeted with them. In order, however, to provide for any exceptional cases in which difficulties of the kind referred to by the hon. Member are experienced local authorities have been informed in a circular issued on 15th April that householders may be required to allocate to the exclusive use of the persons billeted particular rooms specified on the billeting notice, and that such rooms may be furnished by the authority with any necessaries which are lacking. I am sending a copy of the circular to the hon. Member for his information.
§ Mr. KirkwoodWill the right hon. Gentleman send me a copy of the circular?
§ Mr. Johnstonindicated assent.
§ 19. Mr. Mathersasked the Secretary of State for Scotland what arrangements exist for clearing rest centres provided for the temporary accommodation of evacuees; whether he is aware of complaints that certain evacuees refuse to leave such centres; and, whether he proposes to take any action.
§ Mr. JohnstonIn two of the areas to which homeless persons were transferred from Clydeside there have been difficulties in clearing the rest centres. In these areas officers of the Department of Health have been in constant touch with the local authorities to help them in finding suitable accommodation for each family and in persuading the families to accept the accommodation offered. But in several instances large families have insisted upon being billeted as units. This has involved delay.
§ Mr. MathersCan it be brought home to those who are in this position how unfair it is to overcrowd themselves in other people's houses, in order that there may be reason and good will prevailing in respect of these evacuations?
§ Mr. JohnstonThe question refers to rest centres and not to overcrowding in private billets. Nothing has caused more concern than the use for a longer period than we believe to be necessary of these
680 rest centres as dormitories, and every possible step that can be taken is being taken.
§ Mr. BuchananWill not the right hon. Gentleman see that no steps are taken to make people in these deplorable conditions shift? Is he aware that the reason for staying there is that it is the best alternative that they can get?
§ Mr. JohnstonIt is not always that. There are cases when the excuse for not leaving is that the billets offered them are not good, but there are other reasons.