§ 38. Sir John Mellorasked the Minister of Health whether a decision has yet been reached as regard the scale of billeting allowances under the Government's evacuation scheme.
§ The Minister of Health (Mr. Willink)Yes, Sir. Increases in the scale of billeting allowances will come into operation as from 1st July next. For children over five, the allowances throughout the scale will be increased by 1s. a week. In the case of children under five, the allowance will be 10s. 6d. a week, irrespective of the number of children received, and will not, as at present, be reduced to 8s. 6d. each if two or more are received.
§ Sir J. MellorWhile thanking my right hon. and learned Friend for this improvement, might I ask whether he will continue to bear in mind that the major hardship for most of those concerned is the loss of their domestic privacy?
§ Mr. WillinkYes, Sir, my appreciation of the service rendered by those who care for these children is so great that I have given my closest personal consideration to this matter, and have done my best about it.