§ 55. Major GRAHAM POLEasked the Minister of Health whether he is aware that in the Shardlow Poor Law Institute casual poor are still set to breaking stones; and if he will represent to the board of guardians concerned the undesirability of continuing to impose this task on the casual poor under their charge?
§ Mr. GREENWOODSo far as I am aware, the Shardlow Board of Guardians have not discontinued this task which they are empowered to require in suitable cases. It is one of several tasks which may be required of casuals under the provisions of the Casual Poor Relief Order, 1925, and as I have stated on previous occasions, I do not propose to consider the revision of this Order until I have received the report of the Committee which I appointed to consider the administration of the relief of the casual poor.
§ Sir K. WOODDoes the right hon. Gentleman remember all that he has said about stone-breaking?
§ Mr. GREENWOODYes, Sir, and I hope the right hon. Member for West Woolwich (Sir K. Wood) remembers all that he did about it.
§ Mr. HORE-BELISHAAre we to understand that the right hon. Gentleman now approves of the task of stone-breaking?
§ Mr. GREENWOODNo, Sir.
§ Mr. HAYCOCKMay I ask him whether he has any trouble at all with Labour councils, or whether it does not all come from Conservative and Tory councils?
§ 63. Mr. C. WILLIAMSasked the Minister of Health if the increased hours of test work imposed by the Hull Board of Guardians have been found to be advantageous; and, if so, will he proceed further with this experiment?
§ Mr. GREENWOODThe advantage of the alteration in the scheme does not lie in the slight increase of hours, but in the fact that the arrangements have been made uniform. I am satisfied that the new scheme, which is still in operation, is an improvement on previous arrangements.
§ Mr. WILLIAMSAre we to understand that there has been an increase of hours, and also that it has nothing to do with stone-breaking?
§ Mr. GREENWOODI am glad to notice the anxiety of the hon. Member for the city of Hull. [HON. MEMBERS: "Why not?"] I say that I am glad of it. There has been a slight increase in hours, but it has nothing to do with stone-breaking.
§ Mr. HORE-BELISHAMay I ask whether the right hon. Gentleman approves of this increase of hours?
§ Mr. GREENWOODI have already said so twice in the House.