§ 51. Mr. SORENSENasked the Minister of Health what is the nightly accommodation in the casual ward at Union Road, Leytonstone; what number of applicants have been refused admission; what instructions have to be observed when applications greatly exceed the accommodation; and whether he has received complaints or information respecting insufficient casual ward accommodation at this and similar institutions elsewhere?
§ Miss LAWRENCEThere is sleeping accommodation for 70 men and six women in the West Ham casual wards; when the wards are full further applicants are not refused admission but are informed of the fact and told that there is vacant 986 accommodation for them at the Hackney casual wards which are two miles away; applicants who are not fit to proceed to Hackney are admitted to the West Ham wards even though the wards are full, and are provided with emergency accommodation. My right hon. Friend has received reports on them which he has communicated to the local authority for their attention and consideration.
§ Mr. SORENSENIs the hon. Lady aware that a man was charged recently at the local police court with having broken a window in this particular institution and that he gave as his explanation and justification the fact that he was refused admission for the night? Further, may I ask whether she realises the distance that a man has to travel late at night from Leytonstone, and whether some other arrangements can be made to provide better accommodation for these unfortunate people?
§ Miss LAWRENCEThe case mentioned by the hon. Member has not been brought to my notice, but I will inform my right hon. Friend. With regard to the general matter of casual wards, the Minister of Health is engaged in a revision of the orders and regulations, and has communicated with nearly all local authorities on the matter.