§ Sir J. Mellorasked the Minister of Labour what steps are taken to trace 1178W persons who leave essential work in evacuation areas without the consent of the National Service officer; and what action is taken when they are found in other parts of the country.
§ Mr. TomlinsonThe normal procedure to trace such persons is being operated, but in view of the numbers involved precedence is being given to the more important classes of case. Steps are then taken to ensure that these persons are used to the best advantage in the national interest. I should add that numbers of such persons are voluntarily reporting at our local offices in the reception areas.
§ Mr. Moelwyn Hughesasked the Minister of Health the latest available figures of the evacuees to Wales and Scotland, respectively.
§ Mr. WillinkApproximately 30,000 evacuees have been evacuated in organised parties to Wales. Up to the present none has been evacuated to Scotland.
§ Mr. E. Walkdenasked the Minister of Fuel and Power what arrangements he has made in areas where evacuees are billeted on householders and where extra rooms are being used to augment the monthly coal ration or, alternatively, whether he can provide evacuees with a separate ration of coal.
Major Lloyd GeorgeI have instructed Local Fuel Overseers to give sympathetic consideration to applications for extra fuel for evacuees, particularly in respect of premises without gas and electricity. Local Fuel Overseers are already empowered to deal with such applications, and I have asked them to keep in close touch with billeting officers in order to ensure that any difficulties which may arise are promptly brought to their notice.