§ Mr. SHEPHERDasked the Minister of Health whether he is aware of a mutiny of tramps at Newark Workhouse, where it was stated at the police court that nine casuals refused to perform the task allotted to them on the ground that they were cold and the wards thoroughly damp and cold, and that the three blankets given them were so thin that they would not make one good one and also were lousy, and that the men were told by the magistrates that they must either go back and do their tasks or go to prison for 14 days with hard labour, and that all nine preferred to go to prison rather than go back to the ward; whether he can state what beds, if any, and bedding were supplied to these men; and whether the inspector, on his last 340W visit to this ward, found clean blankets of proper thickness and proper sleeping accommodation, as required by No. 16 of the Regulations of 1925?
§ Mr. GREENWOODI have seen a newspaper report of the matter to which my hon. Friend refers. I have already called for a report by my inspector, and when this report is received I will communicate further with my hon. Friend.