§ MR. CAINEasked the President of the Local Government Board, If his attention has been called to the substitution of a fish diet once a week in the Bristol Workhouse, at a cost of two-pence per pound; and, if he will issue an instruction authorising Boards of Guardians to substitute not less than two pounds of fish for one pound of meat in their scale of dietary?
MR. GEORGE RUSSELLSir, the Board have not yet received any communication from the Guardians of the Bristol Incorporation as to the substitution, in their scale of dietary for the workhouse inmates, of fish for meat once in the week. A proposal was, however, a few days since submitted by the Bath Guardians to substitute fish for meat on one day in each fortnight, by way of trial, and it is now under the consideration of the Board. It does not appear to the Board that they can properly issue any general instructions to Boards of Guardians on this subject; 1478 but they will be quite prepared to consider any proposal which they may receive from Guardians, with the view to such a substitution as that suggested by the hon. Member.