§ 51. Mr. SHEPHERDasked the Minister of Health the reason for the instruction of his Department requiring that casuals are to be searched on entering a casual ward?
§ Sir K. WOODThe object of this search is to discover whether the casual is in possession of money or articles the retention of which might be prejudicial to discipline or good order. The instruction to which the hon. Member refers does not originate with my right hon. Friend, but reflects a provision originally contained in Section 10 of the Poor Law Amendment Act, 1848, and mow to be found in Section 72 of the Poor Law Consolidation Act, 1927.
§ Mr. SHEPHERDIs the right hon. Gentleman not aware that is does not have that effect at all? Does he realise what an utterly degrading thing it is to do to these men, whose only fault is that they are unemployed?
§ Sir K. WOODNo, Sir. I think it is a very necessary precaution that should be taken.
§ 52. Mr. SHEPHERDasked the Minister of Health whether be is aware that many casuals are each night compelled to sleep on the floor, generally stone or concrete; and whether, in cases where this is the result of insufficient accommodation, he will instruct boards of guardians at least to provide boards to protect the men from direct contact with the stone or concrete?
§ Sir K. WOODThe regulations require the guardians to provide proper sleeping accommodation and my right hon. Friend has, as at present advised, no ground for supposing that they are not observed.
§ Mr. SHEPHERDDoes the right hon. Gentleman not know that in cold weather at least half the inhabitants of casual wards sleep either on concrete or stone, with nothing between them and the concrete or stone?
§ Sir K. WOODNo, Sir, but if the hon. Gentleman will send me particulars, I will inquire into them.
§ Mr. SHEPHERDHas not the right hon. Gentleman's Department inspectors who ought to know these things?
§ 53. Mr. SHEPHERDasked the Minister of Health whether he will issue such instructions to boards of guardians as will ensure the release of casuals sufficiently early in the morning to ensure their having sufficient time both to seek employment and to reach the next casual ward on the evening of release from the previous one?
§ Sir K. WOODI would refer the hon. Member to the provisions of Article 9 of the Casual Poor (Relief) Order, 1925, of which I sent him a copy on the 13th of last month. These provisions seem to my right hon. Friend adequately to deal with the point which he raises.
§ Mr. SHEPHERDDoes the right hon. Gentleman think that this matter is being adequately dealt with, as the majority of these men do not leave the casual wards until 11 or 11.30 in the morning, after which time they have both to seek for a job and walk 15 to 20 miles to the next casual ward?
§ Sir K. WOODNo, Sir, the Regulations provide that, if a casual represents to the roaster that he desires to seek work, he is allowed to make his discharge at 6.30 on the morning of the day on which he is entitled to be discharged.
§ Mr. SHEPHERDI am complaining of the way in which the regulations are carried out. Will the right hon. Gentleman go outside any casual ward any day and see the time at which the men actually leave?