§ 38. Mr. GROVESasked the Minister of Health whether he is aware that it is still the common practice in the poor-houses of the country to use tin mugs for the partaking of tea and enamel plates for the dinner and other meals; that meals are partaken from bare tables; and whether he will consider the issue of circulars to all hoards of guardians urging the abolition of these old-time methods, the introduction of covered tables for meals, and the use of earthenware vessels?
Mr. CHAMBERLAINI think that these are matters which must be left to the boards of guardians, who are respon 310 sible for the administration of the in stitutions, and I should hesitate to issue instructions on such matters of detail. I understand that, as a matter of fact, the use of tin mugs is not common.
§ Mr. GROVESDoes not the right hon. Gentleman feel that the time has come when his Department should issue instructions to boards of guardians that will not march with the ordinary progress of civilisation?
Mr. CHAMBERLAINIn certain cases where I have considered that the conditions were not satisfactory, I have communicated with the boards of guardians, but I do not think the question of tin mugs is one which calls for the issue of special instructions.