§ 28. Mr. W. THORNEasked the Home Secretary if he is aware of the very bad accommodation that exists at the Fyfield Industrial School, near Ongar, which is under the control of the West Ham Corporation; that, so far as bathing arrangements are concerned, there is an omnibus bath at present in vogue, and that the boys bathe in batches of 20 at a time, the same water being used by the whole of the boys; if he is aware of the sick room and lavatory accommodation and the bad arrangements for cooking; that the West Ham Corporation have applied for a loan to make the necessary alterations to the school and make it sanitary in every particular; and that a letter has been sent to the town clerk to the West Ham Corporation to the effect that the Secretary of State regrets that he would not be justified in approving the proposed expenditure for the purpose of any Government grants; and if he will take action in the matter?
§ Mr. SHORTTI am aware that the conditions at this school in certain respects are far from satisfactory. The necessary alteration of the buildings would, however, require the expenditure of a large sum, and as adequate accommodation of a suitable kind in other industrial schools is available for the children I should not feel justified in approving the proposed capital expenditure, half of which would fall upon the Exchequer.
§ Mr. W. THORNEWere not these recommendations brought before the notice of the West Ham authority by one of His Majesty's inspectors as far back as 1914; and were not plans submitted by the local authority to the Home Office in March, 1921, and were not the plans sanctioned by the Home Office?
§ Mr. SHORTTThat may be so, but at the present time there is ample suitable accommodation.