§ Mr. Granvilleasked the Minister of Health (1) if he will consider the erection of hutment camps for evacuee communities with service rationing and organised upon a basis of self-help under trained A.T.S. in districts where they could assist local war work;
(2) if he will consult with the Departments concerned with a view to taking over unused military camps or hutments for the purpose of billeting evacuees, under proper conditions of rationing and supervision.
§ Mr. WillinkMy Department is already consulting other Departments concerned with a view to taking over accommodation of all kinds that may be suitable for billeting evacuees, and a considerable amount of such accommodation has already been secured and will be brought into use for the accommodation of evacuees not readily billetable in private houses. I hope that the accommodation so obtained will meet the needs of the present situation, and I am not at present contemplating the erection of hutment camps, particularly having regard to other urgent demands on the available supplies of labour and materials.
§ Mr. Granvilleasked the Minister of Health if he will avoid sending evacuees to towns already overcrowded by war workers, in view of the distress and disappointment caused to all concerned, and use instead those areas where more favourable housing conditions exist.
§ Mr. WillinkThe allocation of evacuees among the reception areas is settled by Regional Officers of the Department with362W a close knowledge of local conditions and takes into account all the circumstances of the areas in question, including the general housing conditions and the numbers of war-workers already accommodated.