§ 44. Mr. GROVESasked the Minister of Health if he is aware that the appointed guardians of the West Ham Union have instituted a system of test work under which some men in receipt of out-door relief are employed in the West Ham Workhouse from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily either chopping wood, excavating, or turning old-fashioned corn grinders; that the mid-day meal consists of 8 ounces of bread and 4 ounces of cheese with a mug of cocoa, and although an hour is granted for the mid-day meal the men are not allowed under any circumstances to leave the workhouse during this period; and whether he will take immediate steps to prevent this infringement of the Factory and Workshop Acts?
§ Sir K. WOODYes, Sir. My right hon. Friend has approved the arrangements made by the guardians. The Factory and Workshop Acts have no application to work of this kind and do not in any event, so far as he is aware, contain any provisions which are infringed by the arrangements made by the guardians.
§ Mr. GROVESIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that the chairman of the guardians definitely stated that these arrangements have been introduced to cut across the private arrangements of the men concerned? Does he think that this is a right way to treat men who have fought for their country, and is this what we call the new type of Conservative Christian charity?
§ Sir K. WOODThe hon. Member himself has visited the institution, and I understand that he expressed his full approval.
§ Mr. GROVESI expressed my utter disgust.