Large Body of Escorts

It is estimated that arrangements would have to be made in London dre 40 It is estimated that arrangements would have to be made in London dre 40 for 400,000 schoolchildren, 400,000 children under five and their mothers, 9,000 blind persons, and 20,000 20,0 expectant mothers. In addition, 500,000 children and adults are estimated to be entitled to leave certain boroughs which adjoin the County of London.
The L.C.C.'s Arrangements
The L.C.C. scheme envisages the enrolment of a large body of escorts, several thousands of volunteers being needed.
The duties of these escorts have been set out in a leaflet, accompanying the personal letter from the L.C.C. to the Cardinal.
" The essential qualities in volunteer escorts," it is • stated, " are common sense, kindliness, steadiness in an emergency and dependability in carrying out whatever is undertaken. Previous experience of various kinds might prove very useful, for instance, the care and upbringing of children, camping, club work, cooking and so on."
Enrolment forms for this service, containing a brief questionnaire, can be obtained from the Education Officer (N), the County Hall, London, S.E.1.
WHAT WE CAN DO
In order that the religious teaching and practice of Catholic children may not suffer under the Government's evacuation scheme, the Westminster Catholic Education Council have submitted a memorandum on the subject to the Cardinal Archbishop of Westminster,
The memorandum gives a brief account of the Government's scheme, and declares that co-operation with it hoc become a matter of conscience.
How Schools Should Make Their Plans
The memorandum continues : " The authorities have agreed that, whenever possible, private arrangements made by schools in evacuated areas will be recognised, but the following points must be clearly understood: " 1, That such schools should not move outside the reception areas allotted to the evacuating authority in whose area they are situated, "2. That transport can only be carried out at private expense during the time of ' tension ' prior to official evacuation.
"3„ That billeting officers in the reception districts should be notified of arrangements made.
"4. That all such arrangements should be officially ratified by the Ministry of Health and the L.C.C. Education Committee through Mr R. Mathew, of 15, Bolton Street, W.1, secretary of the Catholic Education Council, who has undertaken to act as liaison officer between the schools and the authorities; consequently, all schools making private arrangements are asked to forward their plans either direct or via their diocesan authority to him.
Government's Generous Offer
" Many fee-paying schools in the areas to be evacuated have recently received an important circular letter from the L.C.C. Education Committee, generously offering to include them in their scheme. They should consider this kind offer very seriously.... We emphasise that no guarantee is given that the school, if officially evacuated, can be moved to a chosen destination. This can only be ensured through private plans.
Catholic • Co-operation Urgent
"Since both evacuation and reception still remain on a voluntary basis, Catholic co-operation is urgent, so as to ensure, wherever possible, that Catholic schools should find themselves within reach of a church and priests.
" Finally, Catholics situated in reception areas with large or small houses near churches or private chapels, by grouping themselves together and making a joint effort, might enable Catholic schools to continue their education in Catholic surroundings."
A Suggestion for Volunteers
In the questionnaire belonging to the enrolment form for escorts under the L.C.C. scheme, there is no mention of the applicant's religion.
Suggestion
It is suggested that it might prove an advantage from the Catholic point of view if the L.C.C. could be induced to add a further question : " Do you prefer to serve with a denominational school, and if so, of what denomination f " Pending this addition, Catholics, when completing their forms might add some such phrase as " I am a Roman Catholic and would prefer to act as escort to a Catholic school or a Catholic group."