§ Mr. DENVILLEasked the Minister of Health if he is aware that applicants have been requested by the North Lambeth Public Assistance Committee to go into the country to chop wood as test work to qualify for public assistance, and as an alternative the workhouse has been offered; and whether he will take steps to prevent the continuance of this practice?
Sir H. YOUNGI understand from a case which my hon. Friend has submitted to me that he has in mind an offer of relief in one of the residential training centres provided by the London County Council. The reference in my hon. Friend's question to the work provided is a very inadequate description of the varied and useful activities of these institutions, and I should be unwilling, even if I had the power, to interfere with the discretion of a public assistance authority to offer indoor or outdoor relief in accordance with their judgment of the requirements of any individual case.