62. Mr. T. THOMSONasked the Minister of Health whether his inspectors exercise their powers of inspecting the casual wards of workhouses; and whether he can inform the House of the reports made by his inspectors of casual wards occupied by casual paupers at the time of inspection?
Mr. CHAMBERLAINThe reply to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. As regards the last part, I would refer the hon. Member to the reply given to him on the 26th November.
§ 63. Lieut.-Commander KENWORTHYasked the Minister of Health whether he has received a report by Mr. Frank Gray upon the casual wards of certain workhouses; and whether he will inform the House as to the nature of the report and what action he proposes to take?
Mr. CHAMBERLAINI would refer the hon. Member to the reply given to a question by the hon. Member for Devon-port on the 1st December last.
§ 64. Lieut.-Commander KENWORTHYasked the Minister of Health whether officials from his Department have inspected the casual wards of the workhouses in the County of Oxford in recent times; when they did so; and whether he is satisfied with their condition and conduct?
Mr. CHAMBERLAINThe reply to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. The inspections have been made at various dates within the last 12 months. I am not in all cases satisfied with the condition and conduct of the wards, and, where necessary, the matter has been brought to the notice of the guardians with a view to securing improvement.
§ Lieut.-Commander KENWORTHYWhat does the right hon. Gentleman propose to do about this matter?
§ 74. Mr. LANSBURYasked the Minister of Health whether he is now in a position to state whether he considers the present dietary scale prescribed for men and women who become inmates of casual wards is sufficient for the maintenance of normal health and strength adequate to enable such persons to perform manual work?
§ 75. Mr. LANSBURYasked the Minister of Health the number of casual and tramp wards in England and Wales; the number of inspectors, including women inspectors, whose duty it is to visit such institutions; and the number of visits expected to be paid to each ward during the course of the year?
Mr. CHAMBERLAINThere are 527 casual wards in use in England and Wales. The total number of general, assistant and women inspectors whose duties include the visitation of these wards is 36. There is a rule that every such ward shall be inspected at least once a year, but in many unions, especially during the last two years, inspections have been more frequent.
§ Mr. J. JONESAre they inspected during the night?