§ 55. Mr. R. RICHARDSONasked the Minister of Health whether his attention has been called to a circular issued in 1886 where work on the land is recommended in preference to oakum picking or stone-breaking; and will he take this present opportunity, now that oakum picking is abolished in casual wards, to place at the head of the prescribed tasks any kind of work on the land and in the garden?
§ Sir K. WOODMy right hon. Friend is aware of the circular referred to which does not relate to the relief of the casual poor but to the relief of unemployed persons on their performance of a labour test. He is perfectly prepared to consider applications for approval of tasks of the kind suggested in the latter part of the question and approval of such tasks has actually been given in 15 cases.