§ 83. Mr. LANSBURYasked the Minister of Health how many persons were relieved in the casual and tramp wards of London on the night of 30th November, 1924, and the same day in 1928; and will he give the same figures for England and Wales apart from London?
§ Sir K. WOODIn London the number of casuals relieved on the last Friday in November, 1924, was 482, and in 1928 was 790. In England and Wales, outside London, the number of casuals relieved on the last Friday in November, 1924, was 7,156; on the 23rd November of this year, which is the latest date for which figures are available, the number was 10,450.
§ Mr. SHEPHERDCan the right hon. Gentleman say how often a count is taken of the casuals?
§ Sir K. WOODI should have to have notice of that question.
§ 86. Mr. SHEPHERDasked the Minister of Health whether he has been informed of the decision of the Halifax Board of Guardians to allow the vagrants at the Gibbet Street institution to have hot water instead of cold water with their mid-day meal; whether this concession is to remain in force both winter and summer; and is it in accordance with regulations?
§ Sir K. WOODNo, Sir. My right hon. Friend has not been informed of this decision. As regards the last part of tie question, the decision of the guardians does not appear to involve any breach of the regulations in force.
§ Mr. SHEPHERDDoes not the right hon. Gentleman think it is time this mean and miserly treatment was stopped and that tea was added to the meals of these men?
§ Sir K. WOODI understand the guardians have done so.
§ Mr. SHEPHERDThat would not break them.
§ 87. Mr. SHEPHERDasked the Minister of Health whether his attention has been drawn to the death of a casual at the Poor Law institution, Chailey, Sussex, whilst locked in a cell with another casual with whom he was sharing the floor, and where the accommodation and sanitary arrangements were described by the coroner and medical officer as inadequate and unsatisfactory for male paupers in ordinary health; and whether he will have inquiry made into the whole of these circumstances and into the treatment of casuals at this institution?
§ Sir K. WOODYes, Sir. My right hon. Friend is obtaining an early report on the position.
§ Mr. SHEPHERDAre the conditions which the coroner and medical officer described in vising casual wards typical of the majority of casual wards, and does not the right hon. Gentleman think it is time the closing of casual wards was stopped in order that the overcrowding may not be so severe as it is, necessitating two and even three men to one cell every night.
§ Sir K. WOODI should be sorry to think it is typical of casual wards. I understand we are to discuss the matter this evening, and perhaps the hon. Member will develop his argument further.
§ Mr. RENNIE SMITHWill the right hon. Gentleman arrange for some Members of his party to spend Christmas in the workhouse, so that we can discuss the subject a little more profitably?
§ 88. Mr. SHEPHERDasked the Minister of Health whether he is aware that officials of the Metropolitan Asylum Board are informing certain types of casuals that they can be permanently confined in an institution; and will he, therefore, take steps to make it known that the maximum length of compulsory detention is seven days?
§ Sir K. WOODNo, sir. My right hon. Friend is not aware of any such action on the part of officers of the managers.