§ Sir C. Cayzerasked the Minister of Health whether he is in a position to give any assurance that those householders living in reception areas who wish to take in friends and relatives in the event of the evacuation scheme being put into force, will be permitted to do so; and whether he can take steps to allay the anxiety which exists in many counties in regard to this matter?
§ Mr. ElliotI would refer my hon. Friend to the statement which I made in the House during the Debate on the Civil Defence Bill on 24th May.
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§ Mr. Hamilton Kerrasked the Minister of Health what progress has been made in Lancashire for evolving schemes for the evacuation of schoolchildren and other appropriate sections of the community; and whether registration has yet been instituted?
§ Mr. ElliotSchemes have been worked out for members of the priority classes living in congested zones in Lancashire (i) around the Merseyside, i.e. in Liverpool, Bootle and Crosby; (2) around Manchester, i.e. zones in Manchester, Salford and Stretford.
The latest figures in my possession show that in the case of Liverpool and Bootle 154,344 members of the priority classes have already registered for evacuation and in the case of Manchester 133,000.
In the case of both groups railway timetables have been drawn up for the conveyance of the numbers anticipated, to the allocated reception areas. The service is mainly covered in two days but in certain cases extends to the third and fourth days.
§ Sir G. Foxasked the Minister of Health what steps have been taken up to date to enrol a number of women experienced in domestic service and the care of children to assist in dealing with evacuees in the case of emergency; and, in view of the fact that the normal occupiers and staffs of the premises concerned are inadequate for the purpose, he will regard this matter as one of urgency?
§ Mr. ElliotI have requested all local authorities for areas which will be receiving unaccompanied school children to make sure that sufficient volunteers are enrolled in their districts to give domestic help in houses where the number of children to be received is greater than could be cared for under the ordinary domestic arrangements. I have every reason to suppose that a sufficient number of helpers will be forthcoming in case of need.