§ MR. COLMANasked the President of the Local Government Board, If his attention has been called to the case of John Jermy, a pauper child in the county of Norfolk; whether it is a fact that he was more than twelve years old when the board of guardians compelled him to give up work and attend school; and, whether the guardians are justified in preventing the son of a pauper parent from earning his livelihood till he is fourteen years of age unless he has passed the third standard?
§ MR. SCLATER-BOOTHSir, My attention has not been called to this case except by the Question, and it has been impossible to make inquiry, as the hon. Gentleman has not specified the Union to which the child belongs. But, in truth, there was no occasion to make inquiry; for, on the facts stated, there is no doubt that the Guardians were not only justified in withholding, but that they are prohibited from giving out-door relief to any pauper whose child, being between the ages of 5 and 14, has not attained the Third Standard, and is not provided with elementary education—that is, is not attending school.