§ Captain Markhamasked the Minister of Health whether he is aware that, in an area previously indicated to him, there are many large houses and farms, the owners of which refuse to take refugees on the ground that these buildings are earmarked for military purposes, although no 1270W military occupation has ever taken place; that small cottages in the same area are overcrowded; and whether he will go into this matter and cause the necessary adjustments to be made?
§ Mr. E. BrownI am grateful to my hon. and gallant Friend for sending me the name of the area he indicates, and if he will be good enough to let me have the addresses of the properties he has in mind I will certainly go into the matter with a view to seeing that full use is made of any accommodation found to be available.
§ Squadron-Leader Erringtonasked the Minister of Health (1) whether unaccompanied children who are evacuated to Northern Ireland are entitled to billeting allowances; and, if not, whether, in view of the desirability of encouraging the evacuation of young children, he is prepared to allow payments to be made out of public funds for the purpose;
(2) whether any distinction is made in regard to the payment of billeting allowances for accompanied or unaccompanied evacuated children between those who go to Northern Ireland and those who go to Southern Ireland?
§ Mr. BrownThe arrangements with the Governments both of Northern Ireland and of Eire provide only for the evacuation of children accompanied by their mothers and there is no distinction in the billeting allowances paid. The decision not to include unaccompanied children under either scheme was taken after due consideration of the responsibilities involved in conveying the children and in caring for them when they would be out of reach of their parents. In view of these considerations I think it would be better not to re-open the matter.