§ 78. Captain AUSTIN HUDSONasked the Minister of Health whether stone-breaking is still one of the tasks set as test work in Poor Law institutions?
§ Mr. GREENWOODI do not necessarily get information as to forms of test work adopted by guardians unless the guardians have put in force Article XI of the Relief Regulation Order, 1911. I am only aware of one scheme of this nature which might be relevant to the question. Here the work is quarrying rather than stone breaking. In another union I understand that the guardians have purchased stone to be broken as test work and this practice may still be in operation.
§ Captain HUDSONIn view of the interest taken by the right hon. Gentle-man's party when they were in opposition, will he make further inquiries into this matter?
§ Mr. GREENWOODIf the hon. and gallant Member will give me particulars of any case I shall be glad to inquire into them.
Marquess of TITCHFIELDWill the right hon. Gentleman ask his right hon. Friend the Member for Bow and Bromley (Mr. Lansbury)?
§ Mr. SHAKESPEAREMay I ask whether the Minister of Health is aware of the widespread indignation in many industrial areas at the useless and degrading tasks set as test work, and will he, in view of his admission that the Government realise that these conditions prevail, cause an inquiry to be made?
§ Mr. GREENWOODI am aware of such case, and I have expressed my view in this House.
§ Mr. W. THORNEIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that as a consequence of the late Government cutting down the administrative charges, it has prevented them having additional benefits?
§ Mr. THURTLEMay I ask the right hon. Gentleman to express publicly his opposition to the imposition of stone-breaking as test work?
§ Sir K. WOODIs it not a fact that there is as much stone-breaking going on under the Socialist Government as ever there was under the last Government?
§ Mr. GREENWOODI have already said that I am only aware of one case where that is so.