§ Mr. LANSBURYasked the Minister of Health on what date the Metropolitan Asylum Board first imposed stone-breaking as a task of work to be performed by casuals and the weight of stone the men are expected to break; and whether he wilt consider the abolition of this task, as he has done in the case of oakum picking
§ Sir K. WOODStone-breaking was one of the tasks imposed in the Metropolitan Casual Wards when the Metropolitan Asylum Board took over the administration of these wards in 1912. The amount of stone to be broken varied from 7 to 10 cwt.; the amount of stone to be broken under the arrangements which the Board now have in contemplation will be 6 cwt.; with regard to the latter part of the question, my right hon. Friend has already considered the matter and is not prepared to abolish this task.