§ Mr. BOTTOMLEYasked the President of the Local Government Board whether he is aware that the master of the St. Pancras workhouse, over a year ago, converted a store on the workhouse premises into a stable for the accommodation of his pony and trap; that the cost of this conversion is about £100, which sum has fallen 545W upon the ratepayers; whether the workhouse ambulance has for some considerable time been kept at Kentish Town, on the ground that there was no accommodation for it on the workhouse premises; whether the inmates of the workhouse have been employed to attend to the horse and vehicle; whether the only authorisation the master received at the time was that of four guardians, given to him privately, and one of whom supplies forage for the pony; whether the guardians have now passed a resolution authorising the master to continue to keep the pony and trap on the workhouse premises; and whether he intends to take any steps in regard to the matter?
§ Mr. BURNSI am informed that in October, 1911, the Master of the St. Pancras Workhouse, who was suffering from an affection of the knee which made it difficult for him to get about, obtained a pony and trap after previously mentioning his intention to four members of the visiting committee, who were inspecting the establishment. The pony and trap is, I understand, kept in a small portion of the old coach-house at the workhouse, the greater portion of which has for the last nine or ten years been used as a store. The total cost of the slight alterations required was, it is stated, only a few pounds, and the master provided the manger, etc., at his own expense. Some service is rendered by one of the inmates in looking after the pony and trap. I am informed that it is not a fact that one of the four guardians to whom the matter was mentioned by the master has at any time supplied forage for the pony. The guardians, having considered the matter, have unanimously recommended that the master be allowed to keep the pony as hitherto at his own expense. I do not think any action on my part is necessary.