§ Mr. WILLIAM THORNEasked the President of the Local Government Board if the effect of the Summer Time Act, 1916, in Poor Law infirmaries and other institution is to require the old and convalescent inmates to rise at 5 a.m. and go to bed at 6 p.m. instead of one hour later; and, if so, whether he will confer upon the boards of guardians the necessary powers, should they not now possess them, to make such alterations as may be necessary to obviate hardship in any case?
§ Mr. HAYES FISHERThe hours of rising and going to bed in Poor Law institutions are governed by regulations which are made and can be altered by the boards guardians. Such regulations would not normally become operative before the expiration of one month after they are sent to my Department, but in the existing circumstances my right hon. Friend proposes to dispense with this requirement.