§ Mr. Cocksasked the Under-Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs whether the Government will consider issuing free passages to the Dominions to all mothers and children who have friends overseas who are willing to receive them and guarantee their maintenance?
§ Mr. ShakespeareI would refer the hon. Member to the statement made by my right hon. Friend the Lord Privy Seal on 19th June regarding the setting up of the Children's Overseas Reception Board.312W The scheme (which is set out in Cmd. 6213) includes an arrangement whereby individuals in the Dominions are able to nominate the children of friends and relatives in this country to be received by them in their homes, and these children, if attending grant-aided schools and otherwise eligible under the scheme would receive free passages. The scheme does not apply to mothers.
§ Mr. Grovesasked the Secretary of State for Scotland why, in Circular No. 115/1940 issued by the Department of Health for Scotland, it is stated that the sums in respect of unaccompanied evacuated children are to be paid into a pool administered by the British Medical Association through local medical war committees; will he have this statement corrected; and what administrative offices, staff and facilities the Scottish Central Medical War Committee have in order to enable it satisfactorily to disburse Government funds for the purpose indicated?
Mr. BrownI regret that the circular mentioned by my hon. Friend was not accurate on the point to which he refers, and I welcome this opportunity of correcting it. The fund for the provision of medical treatment for unaccompanied evacuated children is administered by the Scottish Central Medical War Committee through the corresponding local committees. The Scottish Secretary of the British Medical Association acts as Secretary to the Central Committee, and the office and staff of the Association are available for the purpose of the Committee's work.