Major HENDERSONasked the President of the Local Government Board if, as a result of the action of the local sanitary authorities in condemning cottages in the parish of Letcombe Bassett as insanitary, the inhabitants of these cottages have been compelled to seek refuge in the Wantage Workhouse; whether he is aware that a woman with a child is in that institution compelled to sleep in the same room as seven other women, each with a child; and whether he can promise legislation at an early date to meet the necessity of providing cottages to replace those condemned?
§ Mr. BURNSI have been in communication with the Wantage Rural District Council in regard to this matter. I understand that the action which resulted in the family referred to entering the workhouse was not taken by the council, but by the owner of the cottage, who had obtained an order of ejectment. I am aware that the mother sleeps with her child in the workhouse in a room occupied by five other women and six other children, but the room is a large one. There is no necessity for legislation. The district2682W council have power to provide any necessary cottages, and they inform me that they will make inquiries as to the necessity for additional housing accommodation.