§ MR. A. MILLSasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department, Whether he has received a Memorial from the Guardians of the Poor in the city of Exeter, calling his attention to the increase of infant mortality there; and, whether it will be possible to amend " The Infant Life Protection Act, 1872," and " The Registration Act, 1874," so as to bring foster mothers who have charge of one infant only, and all persons who may procure the burial of still-born children without obtaining a medical certificate, within the provisions of these statutes?
MR. ASSHETON CROSS,in reply, said, that the Memorial had been received, and he had consulted the Local Government Board on the subject. He was told that, in their opinion, neither of the suggestions of the Guardians was practicable. Each of those suggestions had been considered and rejected at the time when the Bills relating to them respectively were passing through Parliament. He might, however, add that he had issued a Circular to the different local authorities and members of the police force, requesting that the provisions of the Infant Life Protection Act should be properly put in force.