§ Sir J. Mellorasked the Minister of Health whether he will supply an estimate of the present average weekly cost to householders per child of carrying out their obligations in respect of evacuated children billeted upon them, specifying the amount allocated to each substantial item of expenditure and indicating what allowance, if any, is included in respect of a proportion of rent, rates, taxes, repairs, insurance, water, lighting and heating costs; and whether he will give an assurance that it is not the intention of the Government that any portion of 234W the cost of maintaining evacuated children should be borne by the householders without compensation?
§ Mr. ElliotTherates of billeting allowances payable to householders are intended to cover the maintenance of children. The householder is not expected to provide clothing or to pay for medical attendance. It would not be practicable, in view of the varying conditions,to include specific allowances for the items mentioned in my hon. Friend's Question, not all of which would be relevant to the cost of maintenance, or to compensate householders who provide a fuller standard of maintenance than prevails in the majority of households.