HC Deb 28 September 1926 vol 199 cc390-3
Miss LAWRENCE

(by Private Notice) asked the Minister of Health whether he is aware that his predecessor, in 1897, issued a General Order on nursing in workhouses, in which Order he prescribed the minimum staff; whether he will consider the issue of a Special Order on the model of that Order, prescribing the minimum staff for the workhouses in West Ham Union?

Mr. CHAMBERLAIN

I am sorry have not received any notice of this question. I have not heard anything of it until this moment.

Mr. W. THORNE

(by Private Notice) asked the Minister of Health if he can state what amount c4 superannuation Sir Alfred Woodgate, C.B.E., was receiving at the time he was appointed to take charge of the West Ham Poor Law Union, the amount of salary he is now receiving, and what additional allowance has been granted; if he can state the salary paid to Mr. J. J. Scott as a civil servant at the time of his appointment, the salary he is now receiving, and what additional allowance has been granted; if he can also state the salary paid to Mr. Allan Beal as a civil servant at the time of his appointment, the salary he is now receiving, and what additional allowance has been granted; if he can state whether the whole of the salaries and allowances have been sanctioned by himself, and whether such salaries and allowances have to be paid by the ratepayers in the West Ham Poor Law area?

Mr. CHAMBERLAIN

Sir Alfred Woodgate was in receipt of a superannuation allowance of £843 a year at the time he was appointed chairman of the West Ham Board of Guardians; he is now receiving a salary of £1,500 a year in respect of his services as chairman, inclusive of all expenses. Messrs. J. J. Scott and A. Beal were respectively in receipt of salaries of £864 and £764, inclusive of cost of living bonus as civil servants at the time of their appointment as guardians of the West Ham Union, and are now in receipt respectively of £837 and £739 (the decrease is due to a drop in the cost of living figure). These two gentlemen receive, in addition, allowances inclusive of all expenses of £300 each for acting as guardians. The answer to the last part if the question is in the affirmative.

Sir WILLIAM DAVISON

With regard to the extra charge on the rate- payers of West Ham, is it not anticipated that there will be a great diminution in the expenditure by the appointment of these gentlemen?

Mr. CHAMBERLAIN

I observe from a notice in the Press that Sir A. Wood-gate estimates that the expenditure during the next half-year will be over £400,000 less than in the corresponding period last year, and it is expected that the rate which will have to be levied for the purpose of the guardians will be reduced by 2d. in the pound.

Mr. THORNE

The right hon. Gentleman says that the chairman of the West Ham Guardians has saved £400,000. Is he aware that a 1d. rate realises £14,200, and can he give any reason why the rate has been reduced by only 2d.?

Mr. CHAMBERLAIN

No, Sir, I cannot. I am merely repeating what I have seen in the Press.

Mr. THORNE

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the net burden cast on the ratepayers of the West Ham Poor Law Union is only £30,000 less than at this time last year, or equivalent to a 2d. rate?

Miss LAWRENCE

Will the right hon. Gentleman say how much of the relief to the rates is due to the money he has advanced to the West Ham Board of Guardians; will he give us some sketch as to how the finance of West Ham is divided between himself and the ratepayers?

Mr. BECKETT

Is it in order for a Minister when asked for information concerning his Department to quote what he happens to have read in some unnamed newspaper?

Mr. SPEAKER

Obviously, the Minister of Health has given the best information he has. Miss Wilkinson. [Interruption.]

Miss WILKINSON

May I ask for your protection, Mr. Speaker? Am I to be insulted by an hon. Member sitting near on the other side of the Gangway?

Mr. SPEAKER

Certainly not. I am not aware of anything of the kind. Had I been aware, I should certainly protect the hon. Member.

Lieut.-Colonel Sir FREDERICK HALL

May I explain? The hon. Member apparently did not hear you call her, or, apparently, she does not understand the etiquette due to the Chair.

Mr. SPEAKER

In that case I think the hon. and gallant Member for Dulwich (Sir F. Hall) was attempting to perform my duties.

Mr. JOHNSTON

On a point of Order. Are you aware, Mr. Speaker, that it is within the knowledge of many Members sitting round here that the hon. and gallant Member for Dulwich (Sir F. Hall) did more than he has admitted to you, and that he addressed the hon. Member for East Middlesbrough (Miss Wilkinson) as "Miss Perky"?

Mr. SPEAKER

I must ask the hon. and gallant Member for Dulwich to restrain his humour.

Miss LAWRENCE

Is it in order for Members to use mere vulgar street-corner insolence?

Mr. MACQUISTEN

On a point of Order. Is it not a fact that the person who repeats is as bad as the person who originates, and that consequently the hon. Member for Dundee (Mr. Johnston) is as much out of order as the hon. Member for Dulwich (Sir F. Hall)?