§ 10. Mr. Sextonasked the Minister of Labour whether he has received the report on the recent trouble at the labour camp at Bedburn, County Durham; and whether he will make the report available to Members of the House of Commons?
§ Mr. E. BrownI have now made full inquiries and am satisfied that there was nothing in the conditions at the 1287 Hamsterley Instructional Centre to justify the men in leaving. The complaints made were that biscuits were not served at supper, that there was some shortage of bread at tea and that the bacon and eggs at breakfast were often cold: of these the last alone had any substantial basis and this has now been rectified. I do not propose to publish the reports made by my officers on the subject.
§ Mr. SextonCan the Minister tell me whether the men now have cloths on the tables?
§ Mr. BrownThis is on one particular day. The hon. Member must understand that it does not apply generally.
§ Mr. PooleWould not the right hon. Gentleman find it a serious cause for complaint if there were a shortage of bread for one day?
§ Mr. SextonWill the right hon. Gentleman answer the latter part of the question, as to whether he will make the report available to hon. Members?
§ 11. Mr. Sextonasked the Minister of Labour the average number of men and resident officials, respectively, in the Bedburn Ministry of Labour camp, County Durham, and the average weekly cost for food for the men and staff, respectively?
§ Mr. E. BrownThe average numbers in the year ending 31st March, 1939, were 158 men and 19 officials. Separate costs for men and officials are not available as food is drawn from a common store. The average weekly cost of food per head was 11s. 7d. excluding any allowances for cooking, service, etc.
§ Mr. SextonDoes the answer of the right hon. Gentleman infer that the 11s. 7d. includes salmon and the other things he has mentioned?