§ Mr. SHEPHERDasked the Minister of Health whether his attention has been called to the lack of accommodation in the casual ward of the Lexden and Winstree union, where, although there is sleeping room for 10 only, as many as 57 have had to be admitted on one night; and whether he will inquire into the conditions at this institution?
Mr. CHAMBERLAINYes, Sir. I am in correspondence with the guardians and the Essex Vagrancy Committee on the subject of better provision for casuals in this area.
§ Mr. SHEPHERDasked the Minister of Health whether his attention has been called to the sentences of 21 days and one month hard labour, respectively, passed upon two casuals admitted to the Boston
1112Wconnected therewith; and how much for other purposes?
Mr. CHAMBERLAINThe following statement gives the desired information.
(Lincs.) casual ward for refusing to perform their allotted task because the food supplied to them was uneatable; and whether he will make inquiries into the quality of the dietary at this institution?
Mr. CHAMBERLAINI have received a newspaper report of this case. I understand that the guardians' medical officer certified that the food of which complaint was made was perfectly wholesome, and that 32 other casuals performed the allotted task which has been refused by these men. I do not think the case calls for any special action on my part.
§ Mr. SHEPHERDasked the Minister of Health whether his attention has been called to the prosecution in the Kingston Police Court on 3rd October last of George Miller, aged 61, for breaking two panes of glass in the Kingston central relief institution, where he had been admitted as a casual, as a protest against having had taken from him his last penny; and, if so, whether such action is in accordance with the regulations of his Department?
Mr. CHAMBERLAINThe reply to both parts of the question is in the affirmative. The regulations in this matter merely reproduce the statutory provision contained in Section 72 of the Poor Law Act, 1927.
§ Sir W. de FRECEasked the Minister of Health the total number of casuals relieved in England and Wales in 1914, and in each of the last 10 years?
1113W
Mr. CHAMBERLAINThe following statement shows the number of casuals in receipt of Poor Law relief in England and Wales or or about 1st January in the years 1911 and 1019 to 1928:
Year, and number of casuals in receipt of Poor Law relief: 1914 … … … … 7,568 1919 … … … … 1,091 1920 … … … … 2,035 1921 … … … … 4,084 1922 … … … … 6,572 1923 … … … … 7,628 1924 … … … … 7,794 1925 … … … … 7,664 1926 … … … … 8,294 1927 … … … … 10,737 1928 … … … … 10,497