§ Dr. PETERSasked the Minister of Health whether, seeing that successive Ministers of Health since 1919 have urged that children should be removed from the Huntingdon Poor Law institution, any steps have been taken by the local authority to accommodate them elsewhere?
§ Mr. GREENWOODI take a serious view of the lack of proper provision for children in Huntingdonshire. I had hoped that suitable premises for a children's home would have been found by the county council, but the only proposal submitted to me is one to adapt a portion of an existing workhouse, which I am advised would provide a most undesirable environment for the children. I have so informed the county council and have urged them to make further efforts to find or provide suitable premises quite apart from any institution for the adult poor. I trust that the council will take steps in this direction at an early date.
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§ Dr. PETERSasked the Minister of Health whether he is aware that casuals at Huntingdon Poor Law institution sleep on the floor; and, seeing that this is contrary to the regulations of the Ministry, what steps does he propose to take in the near future to insist upon conformity with the regulations?
§ Mr. GREENWOODIn the women's ward and in two smaller dormitories for men in the casual wards of this institution beds are already installed, and I am informed that the county council are now arranging for beds to be supplied for the remaining men's dormitory.
§ Dr. PETERSasked the Minister of Health whether he is aware of the inadequate sleeping accommodation at the St. Ives Poor Law institution for casuals in Huntingdonshire; and what steps he proposes to take to remedy this condition?
§ Mr. GREENWOODI am aware that these casual wards are at times overcrowded and that they are unsatisfactory in several other respects. The remedy may, however, be found in the provision of improved and increased accommodation at the neighbouring wards at Huntingdon, which are only five miles away.
§ Dr. PETERSasked the Minister of Health whether he is aware that at the St. Ives Poor Law institution in Huntingdonshire inmates have to go out into the open in all weathers and up stone stairways and along balconies exposed to the weather in order to get to their bedrooms, which are not heated in cold weather; and what steps does be propose to take to improve these conditions?
§ Mr. GREENWOODI am aware of the unsatisfactory conditions at this institution. The proper solution will depend on the future use of the institution, which is at present doubtful. I am, however, asking for the county council's observations on the subject of the hon. Member's question.