Minutes of the Committee for the Evacuation of Basque Children

              COMMITTEE FOR THE EVACUATION OF BASQUE CHILDREN
PRESENT.	
Canon Craven. Representing the Archbishop of Westminster.
Mr Tewson. T.U.C.
Mr Middleton. T.U.C.
Dame Janet Campbell
Mr Norman White
Miss Eleanor Rathbone, M.P.
Mr. H. Sams
Mrs Isobel Brown. Spanish Medical Aid Committee 
Mr Wilfrid Roberts, M.P. 
Capt. Macnamara, M.P.
Miss Anderson. Save the Children Fund 
Lord Listowel.
Miss Rathbone in the Chair outlined the scheme for bringing 4000 refugee children from Bilbao to England. There had been some delay in the chartering of the ship, but arrangements were proceeding rapidly at this end. The Committee had been fortunate to secure the services of Dame Janet Campbell and Dr Norman White and Mr Sams and in having the advice of Dame Janet Campbell and Dr Norman White.
DEPUTATION TO THE PRIME MINISTER:
A letter to the Prime Minister asking when it would be convenient for him to see a Deputation of M.P.s and others, and outlining the scheme was read and approved.
SHIPPING:
There had been some delay in proceeding with the shipping arrangements, as the Basque Delegation in London had not clear instructions from Bilbao. As a result of the enquiries put in train on Wednesday, it had been found that no passenger ships were available, but that two troopships could be chartered, to carry 1500 children each at £700 a day. Another possibility was the Havana, a Basque ship, now carrying children to Bordeaux, which would carry 4000.
NUMBER OF CHILDREN:
It was felt generally that it would not be possible to receive 4000 children at once, though this was the number to be aimed at ultimately. It was suggested that a camp might be established for 2000 children, 500 of whom might go almost immediatley.