§ Mr. Sorensenasked the Minister of Health whether any steps have yet been taken, or are likely to be taken, to secure further co-ordination between reception areas for evacuees to enable redistribution and transference to take place; and whether authority can be given to local reception areas to acquire halls for the partial use of evacuees where the owners or tenants have refused to grant such a facility?
§ Mr. ElliotArrangements have been made under which the regional officers of my Department have been authorised to agree with local authorities for the redistribution of evacuated persons as between individual districts in relation to the 2105W accommodation available. As regards the second part of the question it is clearly desirable that where possible arrangements for the use of halls should be made by mutual agreement. Clerks of local authorities, however, have received certain powers of requisitioning under the Defence Regulations.
§ Mr. Duncanasked the Minister of Health what arrangements have been made to compensate occupiers of houses who have received evacuees in those cases where the evacuees have left and the houses require cleaning and disinfecting, and where blankets and bed-clothes have to be washed; and what is to be the procedure by which the occupier can obtain such compensation?
§ Mr. ElliotI have informed the local authorities that claims by householders may be made in respect of damage. This applies in the case of damage caused by infestation of bedding or household equipment, and householders may submit claims on this account to the local authorities. I am issuing instructions to local authorities to enable them to deal with such claims.
§ Mr. Rhys Daviesasked the Minister of Health whether he has considered the possibility of claims for damages at common law on householders in reception areas from parents in respect of accidents occurring to their children billeted in reception areas; and, if so, with what results?
§ Mr. ElliotI have not had occasion to consider the particular question raised by the hon. Member; the matter would be one in the first instance for a court and I should not like to anticipate the administrative action which might be necessitated by litigation of this kind.
§ Sir C. Cayzerasked the Minister of Health whether, in view of the fact that 35,000 more evacuated children are to be sent to the country, he will ensure that in every case medical inspection will be carried out before they leave town, with the object of avoiding criticisms which have been made against previous evacuees in different districts?
§ Mr. ElliotYes, Sir. I have instructed evacuating local authorities before dispatching any further parties to the reception areas to carry out a medical2106W inspection and, where necessary, the efficient treatment, of all children to be included in the parties.
§ Sir C. Cayzerasked the Minister of Health whether it is the intention of the State to reimburse those recipients of evacuated children who have been compelled, owing to the conditions under which the children were sent to the country, to fit them out with decent clothing, boots and similar effects; and, if not, why such refunds cannot be made?
§ Mr. ElliotI greatly appreciate the sympathy and affection which has prompted people to spend their own money on providing evacuated children with clothing and boots, but I must make it clear that there is no obligation on them to do so. It would be impossible officially to reimburse a large number of persons for acts of private generosity without a series of financial checks and inspections which would completely cut across the spirit in which such help was given, besides causing a very great amount of clerical labour. The responsibility for providing children with clothes and boots rests primarily with their parents. Voluntary organisations are also doing much to assist in cases of need. Where parents are unable to make the necessary provision application may be made to the Unemployment Assistance Board in the case of those who are within the scope of unemployment assistance schemes as expanded by emergency legislation, and to the public assistance authority in other cases.
§ Captain Pluggeasked the Minister of Health whether he is aware that some working-class homes in the country are struggling to keep on 8s. 6d. a week the children of people who are sufficiently wealthy to pay them visits in motor cars; and whether he will, without delay, enforce some means test in cases of this nature?
§ Mr. ElliotAs I informed the House yesterday, the Government are taking steps to recover from parents a reasonable proportion of the cost of billeting school children under the evacuation scheme.
§ Sir G. Foxasked the Minister of Health what are the results, up to date, of his consultations with organisations interested 2107W in the provision of clothing and shoes for necessitous children in connection with the evacuation scheme?
§ Mr. ElliotA number of schemes have now been set on foot for the collection and provision of boots and clothing for necessitous children. Steps are also being taken to get in touch with parents, on whom the primary responsibility rests, and to request them to send such clothes as they can provide. I hope to issue a circular to local authorities on the subject shortly.
§ Mr. Joelasked the Minister of Health whether his Department has considered or is considering the adoption of any long-term policy with regard to the evacuation of children; and whether he can make any statement on the subject?
§ Mr. ElliotMy Department has under constant consideration the working of the arrangements in the reception areas. Improvements and developments, and revision of policy where called for, are being brought from day to day to the notice of the local authorities. Further developments and adaptations will no doubt prove desirable from time to time and I shall keep the necessity for these under close review.
§ Sir G. Foxasked the Minister of Health what instances of the communal feeding of evacuated mothers and children have been brought to his notice; whether he can give the names of the localities concerned; and whether any statistics as to cost have been supplied?
§ Mr. ElliotLocal authorities have been encouraged to organise communal meals for mothers and young children as well as for school children, and I understand from various sources that arrangements are being started in some areas, but I have not so far any tabulated information. The cost of providing meals varies to some extent according to the locality, the arrangements which have to be made, and the materials. At a somewhat later stage I hope, together with my noble Friend the President of the Board of Education, who is also concerned with the provision of communal meals, to be able to obtain wider and more detailed information.
§ Mr. Bartlettasked the Minister of Health whether, in view of the friction caused by the present billeting arrangements and the possibility that the period 2108W during which children cannot return to their homes will be a long one, he will consider the possibility of greatly increasing the number of proposed Government school camps?
§ Mr. ElliotThe possibility of extending the present programme under the Camps Act is being borne in mind, but must be considered in conjunction with the great demand for labour and materials in connection with hutted accommodation for other essential purposes.