HC Deb 25 July 1940 vol 363 cc997-8W
Sir P. Hurd

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs what information he has of certain British children and adults recently sent to Canada being stranded there; what is the cause of this mishap and what remedial measures are being taken?

Mr. Shakespeare

I am informed that a number of women and children who made their own arrangements to go to Canada outside of any Government scheme find themselves without financial resources to support themselves. I understand that there is not likely to be any difficulty in finding homes for the children, for whom most generous provision has been made available in Canadian families, but that it is almost impossible to find homes for the adults. I am not aware of the exact circumstances, but I must point out that the persons concerned left this country solely on their own responsibility, and signed an undertaking that no transfer of funds from the sterling area would be permitted. My noble friend is, however, in communication with the United Kingdom High Commissioner at Ottawa in regard to this matter.