HC Deb 11 February 1876 vol 227 cc227-9
MR. BOORD

asked the Vice President of the Committee of Council on Educa- tion, Whether his attention has been directed to a letter which appeared in "The Kentish Mercury" of the 22nd January, and was reprinted in "The Times" of the 3rd February 1876, signed "George Beavis," in which the writer complained of having been fined two shillings with one shilling costs for neglecting to send his child, a girl seven years of age, to school, under the following circumstances: (1.) She had ringworm; (2.) Two of her brothers or sisters had whooping cough; (3.) Three children of lodgers in the same house had measles; and whether the terms of the Education Act are enforced so as to encourage the neglect of proper precautions against the spreading of infectious diseases?

VISCOUNT SANDON

My attention. Sir, has been directed to the statement in The Times, signed "George Beavis," as it is directed, I need hardly say, to all similar statements. I have no means of ascertaining whether such statements are correct, and I have no authority whatever to interfere with school boards in the administration of their compulsory bye-laws, or with the magistrates in their adjudication upon the cases arising under them. I am sure, therefore, my hon. Friend will understand that I cannot express any opinion on the case to which his Question refers. As far as my information goes, I believe that the terms of the Education Act are not generally enforced so as to encourage the neglect of proper precautions against the spreading of infectious disease; if any cases of such neglect should occur, I trust the sanitary authorities will at once interfere to prevent such a perversion of the Act.

MR. BOORD

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department, Whether he is aware that George Beavis, the person referred to in the preceding Questions, who was convicted of a misdemeanor under the Education Act at Clerkenwell Police Court on the 10th November 1875, was refused the means of communicating with his friends, compelled to wear the prison dress and have his hair cut on arrival at Coldbath Fields Prison, and in all respects treated as a felon; and, whether any compensation will be offered to him for having suffered such indignities, and if he will take steps to prevent their recurrence?

MR. ASSHETON CROSS

I believe that the facts of this case are accurately stated in the hon. Member's Question with one exception—that is to say, that the prisoner was not refused the means of communicating with his friends. It appears that it is not the practice of the police court to keep messengers to take messages for persons who may be committed, but the police are always ready to forward any communication which prisoners may desire to send to their friends by any of the policemen who may happen to be about the office. In the present case it unfortunately happened that the prisoner was brought up late in the evening, when no one was available for taking his message to his friends. I am bound to say that I deeply regret the circumstances of this case. I know that what was done was done according to strict law; but I am quite sure that the House will agree with me in saying that if this is law it is not equity I may state that it is the intention of the Government to bring in a Bill this Session for the purpose of relieving persons under such circumstances from being subject to treatment of this character.

MR. BOORD

reminded the right hon. Gentleman that he had not stated whether it was the intention of the Government to give Beavis any compensation for the treatment he had received.

MR. ASSHETON CROSS

We cannot give compensation merely because the magistrates have enforced the law.