HC Deb 23 July 1874 vol 221 c555
MR. SERJEANT SIMON

asked the President of the Local Government Board, Whether the Local Government Board have refused to allow the guardians of the Dewsbury Union to make a money allowance in lieu of rations to the schoolmaster and schoolmistress of the workhouse, thereby requiring them to board their infant child out; and, if so, on what grounds?

MR. SCLATER-BOOTH

said: So long ago as the year 1856 a Circular was issued to Boards of Guardians to the effect that the Poor Law Board could not assent to the admission of workhouse officers' children to reside in the workhouse, and pointing out that good order and discipline must be interfered with if such a practice were to prevail. In accordance with that Circular and with the habitual practice of the Department, a communication was made declining to accede to a recent application of the Dewsbury Guardians that the schoolmaster and mistress should be permitted to board their child or children in the workhouse. No answer has been received from the Guardians, nor have any special circumstances been stated which would justify a departure from the general rule, in the propriety of which the House will doubtless concur.