33. Mr. W. M. ADAMSONasked the Minister of Health the number of casual vagrants for the areas of Staffordshire, Worcestershire, and Warwickshire for the quarter ending March last?
§ Sir K. WOODThe available figures as to numbers of casual vagrants are those relating to Friday of each week. The average numbers on Friday nights in the quarter ended March last in the Union Counties of Staffordshire, Worcestershire and Warwickshire were 278, 127 and 318 respectively.
34. Mr. W. M. ADAMSONasked the Minister of Health whether he has approved of any proposals to sanction improved wards for casual vagrants under the joint vagrancy committees of Staffordshire, Worcestershire, and Warwickshire; and if he can state the estimated costs, with the districts within these areas to which they apply?
§ Sir K. WOODMy right hon. Friend's sanction is not as a rule required to minor improvements made by guardians to Poor Law premises, and I am therefore unable to give the hon. Member a total figure, but during the past five years expenditure amounting to £13,412 in respect of major structural improvement of casual wards in this area has been sanctioned. I am forwarding details of this expenditure to the hon. Member.