§ Mr. Isaacsasked the Minister of Health whether in view of the fact that metropolitan borough councils are required by Circular 1900 to provide refuges for children who may become separated from their parents, the Government is prepared to make a grant-in-aid for this consequence of the war, especially as this function was not in contemplation at the time the Exchequer grant was calculated, in pursuance of the Local Government Act, 1929?
§ Mr. ElliotIn the circular referred to, I have suggested to metropolitan borough councils and certain other neighbouring welfare authorities that the establishment of such refuges for young children in association with the maternity and child welfare service would be very desirable and have invited them to submit proposals to me with a view to their approval under the statutory provisions relating to that service.
Any additional expenditure involved should not, in my view, be substantial and I do not think that there is sufficient ground for the provision of a grant-in-aid beyond the general Exchequer contribution provided for the current fixed grant period under the Local Government Act, 1929.