§ 29. Mr. LANSBURYasked the Minister of Health if he will state in how many unions, outside the jurisdiction of the Metropolitan Asylum Board in England and Wales, boards of guardians impose the task of stone breaking on casuals entering the casual wards; and what is the amount of stone set to be broken as a task and the size of the stone after completion of the task?
Mr. CHAMBERLAINNo, Sir; I see no reason for departing from the usual practice that the reports of inspectors are for the information of the Minister, on whom lies the responsibility for decision. The answer to the second question is in the affirmative, though I may add that the officer in question recently retired in the ordinary course on reaching the age limit.