§ 65. Mr. HORE-BELISHAasked the Minister of Health whether the conditions which prevail at Prince Rock, Plymouth, have now been investigated by the inquiry set up into test work; and whether it is proposed to abolish the system of stone breaking and stone shifting altogether?
§ Mr. GREENWOODThe answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. As regards the second part, I propose to consider this matter in connection with the results of the special inquiry into test work.
§ Mr. HORE-BELISHAIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that these unemployed men have, in many oases, to walk about six miles a day before they are placed on this task, and can he hold out any hope that the whole system will be revised and put on a more humane footing?
§ Mr. GREENWOODThe hon. Member must really await the result of my inquiries.
§ Mr. BECKETTCan the right hon. Gentleman give any idea when this report is to be issued?
§ Mr. GREENWOODI never promised a report; I promised an investigation, and the report will be made to me.
§ Mr. SHAKESPEAREDoes the right hon. Gentleman intend to publish the report?
§ Mr. GREENWOODThe hon. Member must be patient, for I must see it first.
§ Mr. ERNEST BROWNIf the right hon. Gentleman cannot promise to publish the report, will he make it available to Members of the House?
§ Mr. GREENWOODI think that the substance of it will be published in the annual report of the Department for the year.
§ Mr. HORE-BELISHAWill the right hon. Gentleman say why there is so much delay about this inquiry; it is a very simple inquiry which could be conducted most expeditiously? Is it proceeding like an ordinary inquiry of the Ministry of Health or on purely official lines?