§ 52 and 53. Mr. BRIANTasked the Minister of Health (1) if he will consider the introduction of a Bill for the compulsory registration of hop-pickers' camps so that adequate provision for the health and comfort of the workers may be assured before such camps are opened;
(2) if the reports of the inspectors of his Department who visited the hop fields during the last season confirm the statements of the medical officer of health for Kent as to the conditions in the hop-pickers' camps; and if the reports will be available to the public or Members of the House?
§ Sir K. WOODThough there has been an improvement in recent years, I cannot say that my right hon. Friend is satisfied with the conditions existing in the hop fields. The reports of officers of my Department are confidential documents and there appears no sufficient reason for their publication in this case. The whole question is receiving my right hon. Friend's further consideration, but I may observe that compulsory registration of camps would not necessarily provide any solution of the difficulties.