§ 33. Mr. SHEPHERDasked the Minister of Health whether he is aware that in certain districts boards of guardians compel casuals to apply to the police for tickets of admission to the local casual ward; and whether, seeing that the 688 majority of casuals are genuine unemployed genuinely seeking employment, he will take the necessary steps to bring this practice to an end?
Mr. CHAMBERLAINThe answer to the first part of the question is in the negative, but it is a common practice that police officers should be appointed as assistant relieving officers and empowered to issue orders for admission to a casual ward. The practice seems to me to be in the interests of the casuals themselves, and I see no reason for suggesting its modification.
§ Mr. SHEPHERDDoes the right hon. Gentleman realise that the men resent this very much indeed, seeing that it associates unemployment with crime?
Mr. CHAMBERLAINPerhaps the hon. Member will give me some particulars of what it is he has in mind, because I do not personally know of any such cases.
§ Mr. SHEPHERDIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that men whose only fault is that the country will not employ them find themselves in casual wards which they resent very much indeed?