§ 11. Mr. CRAWFURDasked the Minister of Health whether he is aware that during the last few months 75 men, all under the age of 45, were selected for stone-breaking by the authorities of casual wards of the Metropolis, but that no one was put on the task unless he had been passed for it by the medical officer of the ward, with the result that 31 were removed from the list; that at Westbury- 1038 on-Severn recently Frederick Sevier protested vigorously against being put on stone-breaking on the ground of his health and asked to see the doctor; that his protest was over-ruled by the Westbury officer and he was set to work; and that he was taken ill on the same day and when he arrived at Ross was found to be very ill indeed and died within five days; and whether he will either abolish stone-breaking as a task for casuals or require that no one be put on the task unless he has first been passed for it by the medical officer?
The MINISTER or HEALTH (Mr. Chamberlain)The answer to the first part of the hon. Member's question is in the affirmative. As regards the second part, I will send the hon. Member a copy of the answer given to the hon. Member for Houghton-le-Spring on the 26th March, 1929, which showed that in the case referred to there was no connection between the task performed and the cause of death. As regards the third part of the question, the Regulations direct that a casual shall not be required to perform any task unsuited to his age, strength and capacity, and provide for medical attention to any casual appearing to require it. I see no need for amending the regulations on the lines suggested by the hon. Member.
§ Mr. CRAWFURDWill the right hon. Gentleman take some steps to see that in the case of tasks of this kind the medical inspection is efficient?
Mr. CHAMBERLAINThat is the duty of the local authorities, and I have no reason to suppose that they are not carrying out their duty.
§ Mr. HORE-BELISHAIs it the intention of the right hon. Gentleman to abolish this task altogether?