§ Mr. Leslie Boyceasked the Minister of Health whether he will give consideration to the question of taking steps for the compulsory evacuation of women and children from vulnerable areas?
Mr. M. MacDonaldThe Government evacuation scheme which at present relates primarily to school children has been based on the principle that evacuation should be voluntary, but the question of the principles which should govern evacuation from different areas is kept under constant consideration, and the advantages and disadvantages of compulsion in the case of certain places are not excluded from that consideration.
§ Mr. Naylorasked the Minister of Health whether he has any statement to make with reference to the evacuation of children from East and South-East coastal towns and villages which have hitherto been treated as reception or neutral areas?
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Mr. MacDonaldSchool children who had been evacuated to certain urban areas on the East and South-East coast have recently been transferred to other areas, mostly to Glamorgan and Monmouthshire. In this way certain areas which have hitherto been treated as reception areas have become, in effect, neutral areas. In addition, Sheerness has been made into an evacuation area.
§ Mr. Naylorasked the Minister of Health whether he is aware that many parents refuse to register their children for evacuation because they are not told where the children will be sent, although the teachers are given this information in advance; and whether he will arrange for particulars of destination to be given to the parents at the time of registration?
Mr. MacDonaldI am not aware that this consideration has weighed with parents to any appreciable extent. The transport arrangements for evacuation are designed so far as possible to convey particular schools to particular destinations, but it has to be recognised that these may have to be changed and that no assurance as to destination could be given to parents. In these circumstances I would not see any advantage in adopting the hon. Member's suggestion.