§ MR. ALDENI beg to ask the President of the Local Government Board whether he is aware that between sixty and seventy able-bodied men were turned out of Tanner Street workhouse, Bermondsey, on Wednesday, 17th July, that one being unable to find work has. since asked the workhouse officials to.
489 admit him and been refused, though destitute; and whether he proposes to take any action in this matter with the object of preventing able-bodied destitute men tramping the streets in this condition.
§ THE PRESIDENT OF THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT BOARD (MR. JOHN BURNS, Battersea)I understand that the visiting committee recently had a special call-over of the inmates of the Tanner Street workhouse, when 301 inmates were seen. Fifty-two able-bodied men were ordered to take their discharge and seek work, and two were directed to do so when certified to be fit by the medical officer. Leave of absence was given to eight men to seek work, and eight more applied for their discharge. Of these, twenty-six have since applied for orders of readmission to the workhouse and have been readmitted. I understand that in no case has readmission been refused, but the men's statement as to where they have applied for employment is taken down and verified before an order for readmission is given. It does not appear to be necessary that I should take any action in the matter.