§ Earl WINTERTONasked the Home Secretary if his attention has been called to the number of cases lately and at present before the Courts of ill-treatment of farmed-out children; and if he will cause instructions to be sent to the police authorities throughout the country urging them to use all possible vigilance to bring offenders to book?
§ Mr. SHORTTSince the beginning of 1918 the attention of the Home Office has been called to four such cases, including two now before the Courts. I do not think there is any need for special instructions to the police under Part I. of the1964W Children Act, 1908; it is the duty of local authorities to appoint visitors and otherwise to carry out the provisions relating to infant life protection, and valuable assistance is also rendered by the National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children.