Evacuation Survey
- Author:
Richard Padley
and Margaret Cole. Routledge. 10s. 6d.
This is a comprehensive survey of the First Evacuation Scheme and contains sections by various contributors on different aspects of this gigantic national undertaking. The Survey is both exhaustive and masterly and will provide ample material for future reference.
The first section gives an excellent exposition of the genesis of the first scheme, of the actual Evacuation in September, 1939, and of the results of the experience of the first six months. The hopelessness of expecting unqualified success from so enormous an experiment in socialization planned by officials who, however well meaning, had no knowledge of the psycho- logical factors inherent in the situation is betrayed throughout. Tribute is paid to the excellence of the transport arrangements which, however, one feels were excellent if they were intended to scatter the largest possible number of children as widely as possible. They cer- tainly attained this object but, unfortunately, to the utter confusion of the well-laid schemes of many schools for keeping intact at least sections of the pupils, family groups and friends.
Much careful investigation has been made both into the reasons for refusal of parents to send their children away and into the reasons for return. As a result, it is demonstrated that though the response to the scheme on the part of parents is shown to have varied regionally the drift back assumed similar dimensions in each area. Here is food for thought for the sociologist.
The repercussions on the various public services are admirably demonstrated and throughout the section dealing with this aspect is to be observed unanimity of criticism in one direction?the lack of any contact between evacuating and receiving authority and the set-up of billeting authorities independently of local education authorities.
It has to be borne in mind that the book is a report to the Fabian Society, that all contri- butors were given an entirely free hand and were at liberty to express their own personal opinions. The similarity in various accounts of happenings and experiences testifies to the value of the book as an accurate record. As a whole the writers show an understanding of the psychological factors involved in the situation. It is, how- ever, open to question whether ” children soon forget ” as one writer states in connection with separation from home and whether enuresis is ” almost unknown among the country children ” as another would have us believe. The sugges- tion that in this district evacuated children were afraid to get out of bed at night in the country because ” ghosts and bogies walked by night ” is an interesting one.
This book is most certainly to be recommended to all who are interested in the subject whether from the point of view of sociology, administra- tion, education or general human interest.
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