§ Mr. W. THORNEasked the Minister of Health if he is aware that the county borough of West Ham have relief works on a farm colony at South Ockenden, which provides for three months' relief work and aggregates 2,673 days' work and maintenance; that men assisting under the scheme are those who have no unemployment pay or income from any other source; that this scheme gives these men the opportunity of earning what they receive, namely, maintenance of the colony on a small weekly wage; that the Committee's available funds are now exhausted; and if he will recommend to the Government to make a grant to the farm colony in questions so as to prevent the men having to apply for Poor Law relief?
§ Sir A. MONDI am aware that the arrangement made between the West Ham Guardians and the West Ham Distress Committee with regard to the use of the South Ockenden Farm Colony has been of 255W great assistance to the guardians, and I understand that negotiations are proceeding locally with a view to the future financing of the arrangement. I regret that there are no funds available out of which a grant such as is suggested could be made.