§ MR. PICKERSGILL (Bethnal Green, S.W.)asked the President of the Local Government Board, Whether his attention has been drawn to a report in The Times of the 18th instant, of the last meeting of the City of London Board of Guardians, when mention was made of a case of cruel treatment of an inmate of the Hanwell Pauper Schools, and the Chairman of the Board stated that
He was convinced that there wag an unnecessary amount of flogging at the Hanwell Schools;and, whether he will cause proper inquiry to be made as to the truth of this allegation?
§ THE PRESIDENT (Mr. RITCHIE) (Tower Hamlets, St. George's)My attention was drawn to the report in question, and I have directed that an explanation be called for from the drill master, whose conduct is in question. The Managers of the School District have also been asked for their observations as to the case, and as to the allegation that there is an unnecessary amount of flogging at the school. On receipt of the replies I shall take such action as may seem to me to be necessary. I may say that the regulations laid down at these schools as to corporal punishment are very strict, and that in no case, and under no circumstances, had the drill master any authority for inflicting corporal punishment.