Viscountess Astorasked the Minister of Health what authority is responsible for looking after the welfare of shipwrecked 2283W crews when they are landed in this country after enemy attack; what grants are made by the Government towards such welfare; and what instructions have been issued defining the assistance to be provided?
§ Mr. ElliotAny medical treatment which such persons may require will be provided at the cost of the Exchequer through the Emergency Medical Service. The responsibility for seeing that such necessities as clothing, food and shelter are provided will rest in the first instance with the county or county borough council of the area in which the shipwrecked persons are landed, but they may in practice be provided from other sources. In the great majority of cases expenditure so incurred by local authorities will be recoverable out of public funds. With regard to the last part of the Question, I propose to issue a circular on this subject to county and county borough councils in the near future.