§ 81. Earl Wintertonasked the Minister of Health whether he will appoint a committee of persons, unconnected with his Department, to inquire into the allegations regarding their treatment made by a section of evacuees from Gibraltar, as well as by other persons having experience of the conditions?
§ Mr. E. BrownI have seen the allegations referred to by my Noble Friend's Question and have asked Major Patron, who has been appointed by the Government of Gibraltar the Commissioner for the Gibraltar Evacuees in the United Kingdom and who is a member of the Board of District Commissioners in Gibraltar, to give me a report on them. After I have received it I will consider what action, if any, needs to be taken.
§ Earl WintertonIn view of the serious allegations that have been made in a place to which I cannot refer and in the Press, may I ask my right hon. Friend whether this gentleman to whom he has referred is an entirely impartial person and has had nothing to do with the treatment of these refugees in this country?
§ Mr. BrownHe is a man appointed by the Government of Gibraltar to look after the evacuees' interest, and my first duty is to inquire from him.
§ Earl WintertonMy point is, Had this gentleman responsibility for the conditions about which complaint is made?
§ Mr. BrownHis only responsibility was to the Government of Gibraltar. We have 34 of these centres, 32 under the Ministry of Health, one under the Essex County Council and one under the Middlesex County Council.