§ MR. SALTasked the President of the Local Government Board, Whether, from the Census Returns of 1881, or from any other source, he can state the number of men, women, and children living upon canal boats in the United Kingdom?
§ SIR CHARLES W. DILKEA summary table at page 19 of the Census Report, vol. 2, shows that 8,978 persons —6,225 males and 2,753 females—were enumerated in barges, boats, &c, in harbours, rivers, creeks, and canals in England and Wales at the time of the Census in 1881. That is the only information we have on the subject at present. I fear there exists no machinery by which a Return could be obtained of the number of persons actually living on barges in canals.