§ 71. Mr. SHEPHERDasked the Minister of Health whether he contemplates taking any action as a consequence of the report of his inspector, who found that at the casual wards of the South Molton Board of Guardians the conditions in several respects were unsatisfactory, namely, the hammocks were either too short or too long to be hung, so that the men are compelled to sleep on the floor, and that the rigour of these conditions was enhanced in one of the wards where there was no heating whatsoever?
§ Sir K. WOODAs a result of the inspector's report, the defects in the hammocks referred to have been repaired, and a committee of the guardians is dealing with the other deficiencies reported.
§ 75. Mr. SHEPHERDasked the Minister of Health whether his attention has been called to the meeting of the Uttoxeter Board of Guardians en 14th November, at which the master stated that if they were to reduce the number of casuals they must find them tasks which would frighten them away, as it did in other unions; whether this policy has the approval of his Department; and, if not, what steps he proposes to take in this and similar instances?
§ Sir K. WOODMy right hon. Friend's attention has not previously been called 2814 to this matter. He has not received any applications from the guardians for the approval of a change in the present tasks for casuals and, in the circumstances, he does not see any present necessity for action on his part.
§ Mr. SHEPHERDWill the right hon. Gentleman make special inquiries in regard to this union, and other unions where the same inhuman policy is adopted?
§ Sir K. WOODNo, Sir, because we have no intimation from these boards of guardians that they propose to make any change.
§ Mr. W. THORNEIs the right hon. Gentleman prepared to go down to some of these unions and do this task work himself