§ MR. ALFRED THOMAS (Glamorgan, E.)I beg to ask the President of the Local Government Board whether it is true that no casual paupers in the Metropolis are any longer required to lie upon plank beds; whether casual paupers in any union ward in England or Wales are still required to lie on plank beds; and, if so, what is the name of the union or unions; and whether the Local Government Board will take immediate steps for abolishing them?
§ MR. LONGIn the casual wards in the Metropolis there is no union in which wooden beds are used for the casual paupers. The question of the use of these wooden beds in casual wards has been receiving the attention of the Local Government Board, and they have obtained information from their Inspectors on the subject. These beds are in very general use in some of the districts in England, and especially in the North, and their use is defended on the ground that they are more cleanly than mattresses. It would appear that the question whether or not there is any hardship attending the sleeping on these beds must mainly depend on the number and thickness of the rugs which are supplied to the inmate and on which he can lie; 1231 and I am assured by the Inspectors that, although vagrants show no indisposition to complain to them if they consider that they have cause, no complaints are made as to these beds. In cases where these wooden beds are used, and it appears to the Inspector that there is any ground for complaint as to the insufficiency of the rugs, the attention of the Guardians shall be drawn to the matter.