§ Mr. Naylorasked the Minister of Health for what reason certain coast towns in the county of Kent have been selected to provide accommodation for children in the event of emergency; if he is aware that these towns were subject to attack from the air in the Great War, that the local authorities in Kent are already under the necessity of providing air-raid shelters for the resident population, and that the decision to transfer the children to these exposed areas is causing anxiety to the parents and teachers of the children affected; and whether, in these circumstances, he will consider making these transfers to towns in the safer western areas?
§ Mr. ElliotThe amount of accommodation available in the western part of the country is insufficient for the numbers of children and mothers who are to be provided for under the Government scheme. These persons would undoubtedly, however, be relatively safer dispersed in areas on the eastern side of the country and on the coast, than left in the congested districts in the centres of the large towns. On this view the Government scheme contemplates the use of certain of these areas for reception.
§ Mr. McEnteeasked the Minister of Health what payment it is proposed to make to male and female assistants, other than teachers, who are to accompany the first and second priority groups as full-time employés in the event of evacuation of these groups?
§ Mr. ElliotI am not yet able to give this information, but I can assure the hon. Member that the matter is not being overlooked.