HC Deb 29 February 1940 vol 357 cc2272-3W
Mr. Rhys Davies

asked the Minister of Health the reasons for defining Altrincham as a reception area under the Government's evacuation scheme; and whether this matter can be reconsidered?

Mr. Elliot

The main purpose of the Government's evacuation scheme is to secure; dispersal of children who would otherwise be exposed to air attack in the crowded areas of the large cities. Altrincham has been included as a reception area from the inception of the scheme as there is a large margin of available accommodation in the borough and a much greater measure of dispersal of children can be obtained in billets there than in the crowded areas of Manchester. It is not possible under the evacuation scheme to rely for accommodation only on rural areas.