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Evacuated Children.

Oral Answers to Questions — Civil Defence. – in the House of Commons at on 14 December 1939.

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Mr. Jenkins:

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Education whether it is intended to provide additional temporary accommodation for evacuated schoolchildren in the reception areas so as to avoid a continuance of the schools operating on the two-shift system?

Mr. Lindsay:

Yes, Sir, the Board aim at securing full-time education for evacuated schoolchildren and there is steady progress in making arrangements, including the hiring of temporary accommodation, for this purpose.

Mr. Jenkins:

Have any schools now been provided for the purpose of avoiding the two-shift system?

Mr. Lindsay:

Yes, Sir, there are a number of arrangements for the hiring of halls, dovetailing the evacuated children in the areas, and a considerable amount of rebilleting is going on in order to secure full-time education.

Photo of Miss Ellen Wilkinson Miss Ellen Wilkinson , Jarrow

asked the Minister of Health whether, in view of the number of children who are known to be returning home for Christmas to the evacuation areas, any arrangements are being made by his Department for transport and supervision?

Photo of Mr Walter Elliot Mr Walter Elliot , Glasgow Kelvingrove

It has been made very clear in a circular to the local authorities, of which I am sending the hon. Member a copy, and also in the Press throughout the country, that parents should not allow their children to return to the evacuated areas at Christmas. The arrangements which have been made are directed to discouraging any such movement.

Photo of Miss Ellen Wilkinson Miss Ellen Wilkinson , Jarrow

While I am aware that the problem is to keep the children in the areas to which they are sent, the fact remains that in a large number of areas at least 50 per cent. of the children have indicated their desire to return home for the holidays. Does the Minister realise that unless proper arrangements are made it will lead to chaos, traffic jams, and probably accidents in having children trying to get home at 4 o'clock in the afternoon?

Photo of Mr Walter Elliot Mr Walter Elliot , Glasgow Kelvingrove

If I were to arrange transport facilities for the transport of children to come home, that would undoubtedly be taken as a direct encouragement by the Government.

Photo of Miss Ellen Wilkinson Miss Ellen Wilkinson , Jarrow

Does the Minister intend to leave these children without any supervision whatsoever?

Minister

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