§ 39. Mr. LANSBURYasked the Minister of Health whether he is aware that the Brentford Guardians have publicly stated that they refuse admission to casual paupers at night because they have not sufficient accommodation for them; and what steps he proposes to take in the matter?
§ Sir K. WOODMy right hon. Friend is not aware of any statement of the kind suggested, and is informed that no vagrant has been refused admission at night.
§ 40. Mr. LANSBURYasked the Minister of Health whether he is aware that the Penrith Guardians have publicly stated that they untruthfully state that their casual ward is closed when in fact it is open, and that they intend to continue this practice as, by doing so, their casual ward is only used by the experienced and cunning vagrant and thereby the numbers they have to deal with are much reduced; and what steps he proposes to take in the matter?
§ Sir K. WOODMy right hon. Friend is not aware of any statement of the kind suggested. He has approved of the closing of this ward, but wherever a ward is closed in such circumstances, arrangements are required to be made for the admission of any casual if the Master is satisfied that he is unable to proceed to the next casual ward.
§ Mr. LANSBURYDoes the hon. Gentleman deny the statement that the Penrith Board deliberately tell the people that the ward is closed when in fact it is open, and may I ask why these unfortunate people should be badgered about from one place to another when it is the statutory duty of the guardians to give them shelter?
§ Sir K. WOODNo. What I have said is that my right hon. Friend is not aware 959 of the statement to which the hon. Member refers—
§ Mr. LANSBURYBut it is true.
§ Sir K. WOOD—and it is not a fact that persons are refused admission. I have already stated the circumstances under which they are admitted.
§ Mr. LANSBURYDoes the hon. Gentleman deny the statement in the question that the Penrith Guardians have publicly stated that their ward is closed when in fact it is open, and that they acknowledge that they do it to choke off the new casuals from going that way?
§ Sir K. WOODNo. What I have stated is that we are not aware of the statement in question.
§ Mr. LANSBURYWell, but you ought to be. Surely it is the duty of the Minister, if he attempts to answer a question, to inquire whether the facts are as stated in that question. You do not deny the facts.
§ Sir K. WOODIf the hon. Gentleman will send me the statement to which he refers, I will look into it.
§ Mr. LANSBURYYou ought to have looked into it before.
§ 41. Mr. LANSBURYasked the Minister of Health whether he is aware that last week 13 casual paupers at the Huntingdon casual ward, on account of the conditions prevailing in the ward, refused to work and begged to be prosecuted, and on conviction publicly expressed their gratitude to the magistrates for sending them to gaol; whether he is aware that this is the second revolt in the Huntingdon casual ward recently, and that there are many complaints about the conditions; and what steps he proposes to take in the matter?
§ Sir K. WOODThe facts referred to have not previously been brought to my notice. My right hon. Friend is asking the general inspector to furnish without delay a full report.