THE MARQUESS TOWNSHENDsaid, he had addressed a communication to the President of the Poor Law Board, drawing his attention to the practice of Carpet-beating in the Strand Union Workhouse, and asking him to inquire into it, and had received a reply to the effect that immediate steps were to be taken to put a stop to it. But the practice still continued; it was an abominable nuisance; it filled the air with poisonous dust, the windows of the wards were compelled to be closed when ventilation was most needed, and the noise was distressing to those who were ill. Another and a more important Question was with reference to the number of cubic feet allowed in that workhouse to the unfortunate inmates, ft was hardly credible that the number of cubic feet in the infirm wards was only between 430 and 450. Even in the sick wards, where it was highly desirable that there should be sufficient space, there were only 780 feet; whereas the amount recommended by the Poor Law Board was upwards of 1,000 feet. In considering this matter it ought to be borne in mind that in the Strand Union-house only one-eighth of the number of inmates were ablebodied, the remainder being infirm. If it were not for the efforts made by the master and servants of the institution to make the inmates tolerably comfortable, things would be infinitely worse than they were. This workhouse 1759 furnished only one example of the miserable way in which the poor of the metropolis were treated. He trusted that the Poor Law Board would direct their attention to the improvement of the existing state of things. If necessary, further powers might be given to the Department in order to enable them to make proper arrangements for the poor. At all events, he trusted that attention would be at once given to the matter, and that prompt remedial measures would follow. The noble Marquess then asked Her Majesty's Government, What Explanation can be given for the Continuance of the Practice of Carpet-beating in the Strand Union Workhouse, notwithstanding the urgent Remonstrances made against it many Months since; whether any, and, if so, what Improvements have been made in the general Arrangements of the Casual Wards of that Workhouse respecting which Complaint was made at the time above-mentioned; and what Number of Cubic Feet of Air is apportioned to each Inmate of the ordinary wards of that Workhouse?
§ EARL GRANVILLE, in reply, said, he had received information from the Poor Law Board to the effect that the matter had been referred to the Workhouse Committee; who had stated, in reply, that no complaint had been made to the workhouse authorities either by the medical officer or any of the inmates. In reference to the second part of the Question, he might state that at the time referred to the Poor Law Board had not received any complaint on the subject of the casual wards. Since then, however, great improvements had been effected, and an extra ward added. The casual wards had also been put under the periodical inspection of the police, and three weeks ago all the arrangements appeared to be satisfactory. With regard to the number of cubic feet of air in the wards of the workhouse, he thought the noble Marquess had been misinformed as to the number of feet which the Poor Law Board deemed necessary. It was considered by them that 300 feet, and not 1,000 feet, as stated by the noble Marquess, was sufficient.