§ 65. Mr. A. HENDERSONasked the Minister of Health whether he is aware that instructions have been issued by the public assistance committee of the Staffordshire County Council to the masters of all Poor Law institutions within their area to search all inmates on returning to the institutions after leave of absence; whether he has approved such instructions; and, if not, what action he proposes to take in the matter?
§ Sir K. WOODThese instructions have been issued by the local authority in the exercise of their administrative discretion, and do not require my approval.
§ Mr. HENDERSONDoes not the right hon. Gentleman realise that searching is regarded as a personal humiliation used to restrict criminals; and does he agree that persons who are inmates of Poor Law institutions through no fault of their own, should be called upon to undergo this kind of personal search?
§ Sir K. WOODThis is a matter, as the hon. Gentleman knows, for the local authorities themselves, and is not one in which I can intervene.
§ Mr. HENDERSONIs not the right hon. Gentleman responsible for the control of all Poor Law institutions under the Poor Law Act, 1930?
§ Sir K. WOODYes, but not in this particular matter.