§ Mr. GROVESasked the Minister of Labour, as representing the Ministry of 1560W Health, whether he is aware that the Ockenden Farm Colony, belonging to, and capable of being worked by, the West Ham distress committee, is at present going to waste owing to the repeated refusal of the Ministry to come to the assistance of the committee; what steps he is prepared to now take; and whether he will receive a deputation from the distress committee of West Ham, in order that arrangements can be made to take full advantage of the facilities offered for the relief of distress and the development of a sound agricultural training?
§ Major BOYD-CARPENTERMy right hon. Friend is sorry that the arrangements made between the distress committee and the guardians for the use of the Ockenden Farm Colony on the lines on which the Hollesley Bay Colony is at present being used should have been terminated, and understands that the question whether new arrangements to that end can be devised is under consideration. There are no funds at his disposal out of which assistance could be given towards the cost of the colony, and in these circumstances, while he is prepared, if desired, to arrange for the reception of the proposed deputation, he would prefer to await the result of the negotiations already mentioned.