asked the Minister of Health whether, in view of the fact that local authorities had already budgeted their expenditure when the financial support for the evacuation of expectant mothers was withdrawn, he will consider renewing the grant.

I do not think this would be justified. Local authorities were relieved, until 30th August last, of their normal responsibility for accommodating these mothers, although the justification for putting the cost on the Exchequer, as an evacuation charge, ceased with the end of the war in Europe.