§ Mr. Erskine Hillasked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he is now in a position to make a statement about the Marriage (Scotland) Act, 1939?
§ Mr. ColvilleYes, Sir. The Government have had under consideration the question whether the coming into operation of the Marriage (Scotland) Act, 1939, should be postponed. They have come to the conclusion that under present conditions it would be inexpedient to bring
Statement showing numbers and percentages of unaccompanied children and others who have returned to the sending areas. Receiving Counties (including burghs). Class of evacuated person. Number of persons originally billeted. Number of persons remaining in receiving Counties (including burghs). Percentage of total number of persons originally billeted who remain in receiving Counties. Number of persons who have returned to sending area. Percentage of total number of persons originally billeted who have returned to sending area. (1) (2) (3) (4) (5) (6) (7) Counties receiving from Glasgow and Clydebank Unaccompanied Children. 53,443 29,455 55 23,988 45 Others 71,171 23,624 33 47,547 67 Totals 124,614 53,079 43 71,535 57 Counties receiving from Edinburgh and Rosyth. Unaccompanied Children. 13,809 10,972 79 2,837 21 Others 19,309 8,101 42 11,208 58 Totals 33,118 19,073 58 14,045 42 Counties receiving from Dundee. Unaccompanied Children. 7,936 3,620 46 4,316 54 Others 8,080 2,124 26 5,956 74 Totals 16,016 5,744 36 10,272 64 All receiving areas Unaccompanied Children. 75,188 44,047 59 31,141 41 Others 98,560 33,849 34 64,711 66 Totals 173,748 77,896 45 95,852 55 NOTE.—"Others" includes mothers, accompanied children, teachers and helpers.
1442Wthe Act into force on 1st January, 1940, and legislation will be introduced early in the new Session to postpone its commencement till an appointed day. Subject, however, to circumstances then prevailing, I would hope to be able to bring the Act into force in the course of the coming year.