§ Mr. GRUNDYasked the Minister of Health (1) whether his attention has been drawn to the report made by the master of the workhouse at Tendring with regard to the inadequacy of his casual wards, in view of the great increase of vagrants applying for accommodation, 18 having to be taken in on the night of 20th February while there was only accommodation for four; and whether he will take steps to see that the neighbouring ward of Tattingstone shall be reopened or else that the ward at Tendring shall be enlarged;
(2) whether his attention has been called to the complaint made by the master of the workhouse at Tendring with regard to the closing of the casual ward at Tattingstone and the consequent necessity for casuals to walk to Tendring; and whether he can state the distance between the various casual wards that are still open in that district since the closing of the Tattingstone ward?
§ Sir K. WOODMy right hon. Friend has not received the detailed representations referred to, but has had a letter from the guardians saying that, owing 2149W to the closing of several wards, a considerable number of casuals have applied for relief at Tendring. My right hon. Friend is, on his present information, unable to accept the views advanced by the guardians, and I am sending the hon. Member a copy of a letter which my right hon. Friend has addressed to them, and will supply the detailed particulars for which the hon. Member has asked as soon as possible.