§ Mr. LANSBURYasked the President of the Local Government Board if he will state the total number of men who have been imprisoned owing to offences committed while inmates of the Belmont workhouse; and whether, in view of the condition of affairs at this workhouse as revealed by the recent riot, he will institute a public inquiry into its administration?
§ Mr. BURNSApart from the men imprisoned in connection with the recent disturbance, there have been ninety men imprisoned for offences committed at the Belmont Workhouse since that establishment was opened in November, 1908. The number of individuals who have passed through the institution during this period is, excluding epileptics, 3,935. The condition of affairs hardly seems to justify a public inquiry.
§ Mr. LANSBURYHow many of the 3,900 are able bodied, as apart from aged persons, who are not epileptics?
§ Mr. BURNSThe overwhelming majority of the ninety who were sentenced by the magistrates were able bodied, and the bulk of them were between the ages of twenty-four and thirty-five.
§ Mr. LANSBURYI want to get the percentage of the number of able-bodied men who have suffered imprisonment as compared with the number who have passed through the workhouse?
§ Mr. BURNSOn a matter like this it is well that the facts should be known as they are and not as what they seem to be. I shall be delighted to give the hon. Member a very accurate reply to his question.