§ Dr. Summerskillasked the Minister of Health whether he has now arranged for adequate accommodation in reception areas for children under five years of age now in evacuation areas?
Mr. M. MacDonaldIt is not considered that it would be in the best interests of young children that they should be compulsorily billeted. The amount of provision which can be made depends, there-1110W fore, on the extent to which they can be accommodated by individual householders by agreement, or in efficiently organised groups. Priority for the latter purpose is being given to children who are without parental care. Where parents in evacuation areas are able to arrange for the reception of young children in reception areas, payment of railway fares and of billeting allowances has been authorised, and these facilities are available for unaccompanied young children and for young children accompanied by their mothers. I should add, however, that the difficulties at the reception end are such that the accommodation is likely to be limited, save in the case of an actual and apparent emergency.
§ Rear-Admiral Beamishasked the Minister of Health whether he is aware that a notable measure of evacuation in East Sussex is now in progress; whether it has his approval; whether orders have been issued to local authorities in East Sussex to evacuate a portion of the population from any area; and whether he has any such orders in prospect?
Mr. MacDonaldI am aware that a number of persons have left the coastal areas referred to in the Question; the only arrangements which require my approval are those made under the Government evacuation scheme: under that scheme evacuated children from the London area have recently been removed from the coastal districts of the county east of Newhaven. No further directions have yet been given; but the situation is kept under regular review.
§ Rear-Admiral Beamishasked the Minister of Health whether it is within his knowledge and with his approval that nearly all the boys 'and girls' preparatory schools in the coastal areas between Beachy Head and Portslade have recently moved to other districts; and does he intend to extend facilities to State schools and State-aided schools in the district to make similar arrangements?
Mr. MacDonaldArrangements made by private schools for their transfer on their own responsibility do not require my approval; none of the districts referred to in the Question are evacuation areas but children who were evacuated into the more eastern districts from other towns have recently been transferred elsewhere. The situation is kept under regular review.