§ Mr. Bullasked the Minister of Health when he expects to be able to state the result of the national survey dealing with evacuation together with the final adjustments he proposes to make; and whether he is aware that many local authorities are awaiting such adjustments before making their own preparations?
Mrs. Adamsonasked the Minister of Health (1) whether he has considered the protest from the Erith Borough Council owing to the district being placed in the list of neutral areas, although it is adjacent to the River Thames and likely to be vulnerable to aerial attack; and whether he has now reconsidered the matter so as to permit of the arrangements being made for the evacuation of aged and young persons in the event of hostilities;
(2) whether he has considered the resolution passed by the Bexley Borough Council, which reaffirms their objection to being classified as a neutral area, in view of the proximity of this district to other areas likely to be objectives in the event of aerial attack and to areas scheduled for evacuation with its large population which includes about 12,000 school children and their request for the maximum possible evacuation of the population; and whether he is now prepared to reconsider this matter, in view of the representations made to him;
(3) whether he has considered representations from the Crayford Urban District Council in their opposition to the district being regarded as a neutral zone in the event of hostilities arising; and, in view of the concern due to certain military objectives being likely to increase the possibility of attack, he is prepared to give further consideration to the matter?
§ Mr. ElliotI am aware of the representations made by these local authorities. Priority must be given in an evacuation plan to the claims of children in the congested areas where the effects of air attack would be most serious and the list of evacuable areas has been based on that view. The local authorities in the1940W reception areas have been asked to submit the results of their survey of accommodation by the 28th February and when this has been done the Government will be in a position to consider whether any extension of the present list of evacuable areas is feasible The claims of the authorities who have made the representations referred to will be considered in this connection together with those of other districts. A decision will be reached as rapidly as possible in order that local authorities may be in no uncertainty in making their preparations.
§ Mr. Garro Jonesasked the Minister of Health when the survey of accommodation for the evacuation of children will be completed and what steps the Government contemplate for the utilisation of collective buildings in addition to private accommodation?
§ Mr. ElliotLocal authorities have been asked to send in their returns not later than the end of this month. The return is designed to cover not only private unoccupied houses, but also other accommodation, including, for example, empty houses, hostels and camps. A review of the best possible use of available accommodation will be carried out as soon as the returns are completed.
§ Sir T. Cookasked the Minister of Health to what extent the towns and villages on the Norfolk coast are regarded as situated in a vulnerable district in relation to schemes for billeting and evacuation?
§ Mr. ElliotLocal authorities in all areas in which dispersal of the population can be secured have been invited to make a survey of housing accommodation in connection with the Government scheme. Accordingly all the authorities on the Norfolk coast with the exception of the Great Yarmouth County Borough Council have been included.