§ 70. Colonel Stoddart-Scottasked the Minister of Health what instructions he has given to local authorities with regard to the accommodation of homeless families in public assistance institutions; what directions he has issued to separate husbands and families; and if he has laid down any maximum time for this home-splitting arrangement.
§ Mr. BevanI have drawn the attention of local authorities to their duty under Section 21 (1) (b) of the National Assistance Act to provide temporary accommodation in certain circumstances of urgency. I have issued no direction as to the separation of husbands and families, which I deprecate.
§ Mr. Platts-Millsasked the Minister of Health how many children in age groups of under 5, 5–11 and 11–16 respectively, are included in the 163 families at present lodged in London workhouses.
§ Mr. BevanOf the children of families accommodated on 1st December, 1948, 179 were under age 5, 75 between the ages of 5 and 11 and 15 between the ages of 11 and 16.