§ Mr. Sextonasked the Lord Privy Seal (1) whether he will consider the claims of the West of Durham County for sites of proposed safety camps, as that area has a high proportion of unemployed, and the secluded valleys possess a great measure of invulnerability;
(2) whether he will ensure that unemployed persons shall have preference for work, wherever such preference is feasible, in the construction of camps for the evacuation of children and adults in wartime, and to establish some of the camps in the Special Areas where there is immunity from air attack, plentiful safe sites, and capable workmen awaiting employment?
§ Sir G. Foxasked the Lord Privy Seal whether the 50 evacuation camps which the Government is helping to finance will be distributed on the basis of at least one camp per county, which is mainly reserved for billeting purposes; and whether he is aware that such a distribution will afford a useful guide to communities who would like to construct similar or smaller camps?
§ Mr. Lipsonasked the Lord Privy Seal why the 50 camps to be established are to be constructed of wood; how many men will be employed on the work, and for how long a period?
§ Mr. R. Robinsonasked the Lord Privy Seal whether he will undertake that the proposed evacuation camps will be used solely for that purpose, and will not be competitive to the existing interests catering for holiday-makers?
§ Sir J. AndersonA Bill will be introduced shortly to give effect to the Government's proposals with regard to camps, to which I referred in an answer given on 13th February in reply to a question by my hon. and gallant Friend the 1929W Member for Epsom (Sir A. Southby) and there will be opportunities for discussion of these and other questions during the proceedings on that Bill.
§ Mr. R. Robinsonasked the Lord Privy Seal what steps were taken to discover the adequacy of the existing accommodation in resorts in safe areas before deciding on the building of camps?
§ Sir J. AndersonStatistical information showing broadly the maximum accommodation of all kinds that could be made available in reception areas was submitted to the Committee on Evacuation. The survey now being carried out by local authorities at the request of my right hon. Friend the Minister of Health is designed to provide the further data necessary for a detailed scheme. As stated in reply to a question by my hon. and gallant Friend the Member for Epsom (Sir A. Southby) on 13th February, the primary peace-time use of the camps will be for schoolchildren.