§ Mr. Mathersasked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many children and how many mothers from the original evacuation scheme are left in the reception areas; how many have returned home; and what are the age groups of the children in both categories?
§ Mr. ColvilleThe following table shows the position on the 8th January, 1940, when the latest returns were made by receiving authorities:
37W
— Estimated number remaining in the receiving areas. Estimated number who have returned to the sending areas. School children 30,972 78,501 Pre-school children 4,182 29,319 Mothers 3,043 21,226
§ Mr. Mathersasked the Secretary of State for Scotland the number of householders in the reception areas who have agreed to accept children evacuees under the 1940 evacuation scheme, and the number of children registered by parents for evacuation from sending areas; and whether the latter are fully provided for, or whether the Government has any alternative to private billeting to ensure the success of the scheme in an emergncy?
§ Mr. ColvilleInformation about the number of householders who have asked to be placed on the roll of those ready to share in the work of receiving and caring for evacuated children has not yet been supplied by all the receiving authorities. The number of children registered by their parents for evacuation is approximately 23,000. The new plans, which would be put into operation only if air raids developed on a scale involving serious and continuing perils to the civilian population, provide for these children and such others as it is estimated would have to be evacuated in such, circumstances. If the plans were put into operation private billeting would be necessary but the accommodation available in private houses is being supplemented by the provision of camps and hostels.