HC Deb 08 February 1934 vol 285 cc1286-7
48 Mr. ALAN TODD

asked the Minister of Health (1) if he is now in a position to give the names of the farms in Herefordshire and Worcestershire complained of in a recent report of the Staffordshire county council's education committee dealing with the conditions in the hopfields in Worcestershire and Herefordshire;

(2) if he can give the names of those members, representing the Staffordshire council's education committee, who recently investigated the conditions in the hopfields in Worcestershire and Herefordshire;

(3) if he can give an assurance that he will bring pressure to bear on local authorities in Worcestershire and Herefordshire in order that he may be satisfied that conditions in the hopfields are such that hop-pickers may reasonably be able to take their children to the hopfields without injury to their health or morals?

Sir H. YOUNG

I regret that I have not yet received sufficient information from the Staffordshire County Council to enable the farms complained of to be identified. The answer to the second question is in the negative. With regard to the third question, I would refer my hon. Friend to the answer given to his questions on this subject last Thursday. As soon as I have received the information necessary to identify the farms the matter will be taken up.

Mr. TODD

Why cannot I have an answer to my second question, regarding the names of the deputation?

Sir H. YOUNG

Because the information is not known to me and has not been supplied to me.

Mr. TODD

Cannot the right hon. Gentleman obtain it for me?

Sir H. YOUNG

No, Sir. I do not think an inquiry as to the names of particular councillors who have taken part in a particular work on behalf of a local authority would be a proper or appropriate question for the Minister to ask.

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