71. Captain BENNasked the Minister of Health whether he has issued a new Poor (Relief) Order making oakum picking one of the authorised tasks in the casual ward?
§ Sir K. WOODThe Order to which the hon. and gallant Member refers is mainly a consolidating Order which follows the Order of 1882 in including oakum picking among other authorised tasks.
Captain BENNIs it a fact that the amount allotted both to men and women has actually been increased in quantity, and does the hon. Member think it decent at this time in the world's history to impose such a degrading task?
§ Sir K. WOODIn answer to the first part of the question, I am informed that, so far as this Order is concerned, it reduces the actual hours of work from nine to eight per day. The matter of oakum picking is, of course, it is true, a quantity task. As regards the latter part of the question, as I dare say my hon. and gallant Friend knows, it is a question for the authorities themselves whether they desire to impose this task.
§ Mr. LANSBURYIs it not a fact that no authority can impose this task without the sanction of the Minister of Health; is it not a fact that large numbers—I think the figures are about 4,000—of ex-service men are frequently in casual wards just now, and is it not a disgrace to put them to the tasks of oakum picking and stone-breaking simply because of their poverty? You are going back half-a-century.
§ Mr. LANSBURYYou go and do it. You go and try. You did not dare to tell them to do it during the War. It is disgraceful!
§ Mr. SPEAKERRemarks should be addressed to me, and not to other Members.