HC Deb 13 May 1925 vol 183 cc1852-3
60. Mr. GROVES

asked the Minister of Health whether he has any information or statistics as to the numbers and causes of prosecutions of casual paupers in the Metropolitan or the provincial unions later than those given in the Local Government Board Report (C 5,813, Appendix p. 332); if so, will he publish them or state where they are to be found; will he cause an investigation to he made whether, and, if so, to what extent, oakum picking, stone breaking and stone pounding have given rise to prosecutions; and will he direct that, from the date when the new order took effect, a record be kept of the prosecutions in each union for refusal or neglect to perform the task and of the nature and amount of the task which was imposed. and of the sex and age, or approximate age, of the persons charged?

Sir K. WOOD

I am afraid this information is not available. My right hon. Friend will consider the suggestions made in the latter part of the hon. Member's question

Mr. GROVES

Is it correct for me to assume that the hon. gentleman's Department has recently increased the amount of oakum from 1lb. to 1⅓ lb.?

Sir K. WOOD

That of course, is another question, and I should like the hon. Gentleman to put it down?

Captain WEDGWOOD BENN

Would it be open, under the new Order that has been issued, to prosecute a casual woman pauper for not picking the oakum?

Sir K. WOOD

That, again, is a matter which does not arise out of the question on the Paper. Perhaps the hon. and gallant Member will put it down?

Mr. LANSBURY

Would it be possible for the Minister to put on view in the Library a pound of the best oakum and a pound of the most difficult oakum that these people have to pick?

Sir K. WOOD

I see no advantages in that

Lieut. Commander KENWORTHY

Has the Minister tried picking the oakum himself?

Mr. LANSBURY

Why cannot the House be allowed to judge, by seeing this oakum, whether it is a reasonable task to which to put these ex-service men? [HON. MEMBERS: "Answer. !"]

Captain BENN

May I ask, Mr. Speaker, whether, when a Minister is asked to supply some simple information of this kind, it is not the usual practice in the House for him to give some answer?

Mr. SPEAKER

I think the hon. and gallant Member must have heard that the Minister did answer. That the reply may not be acceptable to some hon. Members is another matter

Forward to