§ Captain BOURNEasked the Minister of Healthifhe can give the names of the unions which at the time of the official survey gave oakum-picking to female casuals, the amountsgivenby each union, and the profit, if any, made out of the sale of picked oakum, after deducting the costs of purchase, conveyance, and sale; and whether he can give the names of those unions which supplied appliances such as hooks or nails to facilitate the task of picking oakum?
Mr. CHAMBERLAINAt the time of the official survey, the Wantage Daventry and Ware Unions were reported as setting oakum-picking as a task for female casuals. In the case of Ware, the quantity of the task was two 1467W pounds, but I have no particulars as to the amount requiredbythe other two unions. The information asked for in the last two parts of the question is not available, but I am making inquiries and will communicate further with my hon. and gallant Friend
§ Sir C. OMANasked the Minister of Health whether he is aware that a circular, signed by his assistant secretary, directs the guardians that the regulations as to tasking the casuals should be strictly observed in every union; whether he is aware that during the last few years they have in many unions not been observed and that during this period the starvation cases have greatly diminished; and if he will at once cause an investigation to be made as to whether the strict observanceofthe regulations imposing the oakum-picking, stone-breaking, and, in some unions, of the stone-pounding tasks has resulted in tramps and homeless men having their deaths accelerated by privation owing to their refusing to come into the casual wards where there was strict observance of the regulations?
Mr. CHAMBERLAINThe Order provides, as did the Orders which it consolidates, for alternative tasks, and further provides for the excusal of a casual from the whole or any part of a task if it appears that it is not suited to his age, strength or capacity. I am not prepared to accept the suggestion contained in the latter part of the question, but if my hon. Friend has any evidence on the point I shall of course be glad to consider it