§ Rear-Admiral Beamishasked the Under-Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs on what grounds children, pri- 2164W vately sent overseas for safety in the early part of the war, are not to be included for return in Children's Overseas Reception Board parties; and what arrangements parents should make for the repatriation of those children privately evacuated on the Government's advice.
§ Mr. Emrys-EvansThe C.O.R.B. scheme was devised to enable children to be sent overseas at United Kingdom Government expense in response to the generous offers of hospitality received from the Dominions. It was a part of the scheme that the United Kingdom Government should undertake to bring the children back at the end of the war. The United Kingdom Government, however, accepted no responsibility for the numerous private arrangements which at the time were made by parents to send their children to friends and relatives overseas. A clear indication of this was given at the time. In these cases it is for the parents to make their own arrangements for the return of the children. Such parents are advised to consult a passenger agent or shipping company in the first instance and to arrange for their children's names to be placed on the official waiting list held by the representative of the Ministry of War Transport in each Dominion or at New York.
§ Rear-Admiral Beamishasked the Under-Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs what numbers of children are now awaiting repatriation from overseas from each Dominion and foreign country, respectively, under C.O.R.B. arrangements and so far as is known those privately evacuated; and to what extent repatriation is now in progress.
§ Mr. Emrys-EvansThe following children sent overseas under the Government C.O.R. scheme are due for repatriation from the Dominions in due course:
Canada 1,424 Australia … … … 566 New Zealand … … … 203 South Africa … … … 341 Total 2,534 No children were sent to a foreign country under the Government scheme.
2165WDetailed figures are not available of the numbers of children who were evacuated privately and who are still overseas, but it is estimated that there may be some 6,500 in Canada and the U.S.A. together. As regards privately evacuated children, shipping accommodation is made available when possible for those whose parents desire their return. As regards children evacuated under the Government scheme, these, with few exceptions, mostly amongst the older boys and girls who are returning for national service, will be brought back at the end of the war in accordance with the terms of the scheme.