HC Deb 18 February 1941 vol 369 cc45-6W
Mr. De la Bére

asked the Minister of Health what action the Ministry of Health have taken in connection with the request from the South Midland Joint Vagrancy Committee, with a view to the removal of casuals from the roads as far as possible.

Sir J. Mellor

asked the Minister of Health whether he will make a statement with regard to the vagrancy problem in Warwickshire, in the light of representations made by the South Midland Joint Vagrancy Committee.

Mr. E. Brown:

The policy adopted by my Department has been the closure of unnecessary casual wards, and the retention only of those which are required in order to provide for reasonable movements from place to place. The proposal of the South Midland Joint Vagrancy Committee for the general closing of casual wards is not in accordance with the views of most other committees or of the associations of local authorities, and apart from this consideration, I should not feel justified during war-time in introducing legislation for modifying the general arrangements made for the relief of casual poor. Arrangements have been made with my right hon. Friend the Minister of Labour and National Service for work of national importance to be offered to casuals in the remaining casual wards and a number of men have accepted such work.