§ Sir R. Glynasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if he is in a position to make a statement concerning the present conditions and future prospects of 2,440 Gibraltarian evacuees now accommodated in 10 camps and one hostel in Northern Ireland; in particular, on what vote the cost of these British subjects is borne; what is the total sum involved to date; and to what extent are these individuals precluded from earning a living.
§ Mr. George Hall:With regard to the first part of the Question, I am assured by my hon. Friend, the Member for North Bucks, who at my request recently paid a visit to the evacuee camp run by the Ministry of Health and Local Government of Northern Ireland, that as far as material conditions are concerned the evacuees are well cared for. The evacuees are supplied with fuel and in addition to the ordinary food ration receive a supplementary ration of oil. As to their future prospects I am afraid that the majority must expect to stay where they are until substantial progress has been made with the housing schemes now in hand in Gibraltar.
With regard to the second and third parts of the Question, the cost of maintaining these camps was borne until 31st March last by the Ministry of Health; to that date I am informed that it amounted to £792,605. Since 1st April it has been borne on the Colonial and Middle Eastern Services vote. With regard to the last part of the Question, while opportunities for work in the immediate neighbourhood of the camps are limited, the evacuees are free to take any work they can find in any part of the U.K., provided that they are prepared also to find their own accommodation. There are certain types of employment, such as agricultural work or shoemaking, which might be available in the camps, but in which the evacuees refuse to engage. I am looking into the possibility of bringing young evacuees over 238W to this country for training in various trades but no statement on this can yet be made.