HC Deb 05 November 1929 vol 231 cc858-9W
Mr. SHEPHERD

asked the Minister of Health whether he will issue instructions to boards of guardians requiring them to notify his Department immediately any inmate of a casual ward has been placed in the hands of the police, so that his inspectors may make an immediate inquiry into the circumstances?

Miss LAWRENCE

My right hon. Friend does not think that my hon. Friend's proposal is one which he could adopt. It is for the magistrates to de- cide whether the charges brought by a Poor Law authority against an inmate of a casual ward are substantiated and to discharge any person against whom the charge fails.