§ Mr. Sorensenasked the Minister of Health what action he intends to take to secure an effective co-ordination of the various local authorities affected by the evacuation of children and mothers; and whether he intends to secure additional powers for county councils in order to assist the smaller authorities in this matter?
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§ Miss HorsbrughMy right hon. Friend has already indicated in various communications to local authorities that the provision of certain services for evacuated persons, notably medical and welfare services, should be co-ordinated by the county local authorities. My right hon. Friend is not aware that additional powers are required by county councils.
§ Mr. Sorensenasked the Minister of Health what action he intends to take to secure the erection of huts and the requisitioning of largely-unused houses and buildings for the purpose of providing more suitable accommodation for evacuated mothers and schoolchildren; and whether he will require that county councils, in co-operation with other local authorities, shall provide means of transport for the purpose of mothers visiting their children and for children to be conveyed to their schools?
§ Miss HorsbrughI am sending the hon. Member a copy of Circular 1871 which was issued by my Department on the 12th September and which gives local authorities guidance on the question, amongst others, of the use of empty houses as hostels for evacuated mothers and for certain classes of schoolchildren. My right hon. Friend does not think that it is necessary at present to provide transport as suggested to enable mothers to visit their children. Local education authorities already have power to provide for the conveyance of schoolchildren to their schools. They have been informed that where difficulty is anticipated the matter should be brought to the notice of the appropriate chairman of Traffic Commissioners.