§ 21. Mr. H. Hyndasked the Minister of National Insurance what cash and other assistance is now being given to Poles transferred to her care from the Polish Resettlement Corps.
§ Dr. SummerskillSome of these Poles are renting rooms or being provided, against such payments as they are able to make, with board and lodging in hostels run by the National Assistance Board under the Polish Resettlement Act. Others are receiving assistance allowances in the ordinary way.
§ Mr. HyndIs it quite clear that the system by which they received allowances on the basis of military rank which they formerly held has ceased?
§ Dr. SummerskillI think that is a question for my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for War.
§ Major Legge-BourkeDoes the right hon. Lady not realise that the Poles in these hostels are about to come under the local authorities who will be responsible for housing, and that if a hostel is in the area of one local authority that local authority may be responsible for housing the whole of the camp?
§ Dr. SummerskillI should like the hon. Gentleman to give me the details. The facts are these: Those Poles who are anxious to cater for themselves and to live in their own rooms instead of being catered for by the Board are able to do so, and they pay the Board rent for their accommodation in hostels. If the hon. Gentleman will tell me of any area in which the Poles have left the hostel where accommodation is provided and are demanding houses, I shall be only too pleased to look into it.