asked the President of the Local Government Board whether his attention has been called to the case of George Salmon, an inmate of the Strood Workhouse, Kent, who was put on a diet of bread and water for alleged misconduct, the misconduct alleged being that he went to the local Labour Exchange to try to obtain work after leave for that purpose had been refused; and whether he will take steps to ensure that all inmates of workhouses have a reasonable opportunity given to them of attending at Labour Exchanges for the purpose of obtaining work?

I have received from the guardians of the Strood Union a statement of the case to which the hon. Member refers. I understand that an arrangement of a kind which is not uncommon is in force in this union, whereby the names of inmates desirous of obtaining employment through the local Labour Exchange are furnished periodically to the manager of the exchange, who sends for them if suitable work is available. Under such an arrangement it is unnecessary for an inmate of the workhouse to attend periodically at the Labour Exchange. Salmon's name had been notified and he was made aware of this. I have no reason to suppose that guardians are unwilling to allow inmates reasonable opportunities for taking advantage of the facilities afforded by Labour Exchanges.