§ MR. BURT (Morpeth)asked the Vice President of the Committee of Council, Whether his attention has been called to a letter from Mr. George Smith, of Coalville, relating to the sad condition of the gipsy van and other travelling children, published in The Daily Chronicle, Morning Post, and other papers on the 30th of August; and, whether the Government intend taking any steps for 777 bringing the gipsy van and other travelling children under educational and sanitary influences?
§ THE VICE PRESIDENT (Sir HENRY HOLLAND) (Hampstead)My attention has been called to the letter referred to. The Education Department, in concert with the Local Government Board, have devised Regulations under the Canal Boats Act, the effect of which is now being tested in the neighbourhood of Birmingham; but the question of gipsy-van children is much more difficult, and the hon. Member will recollect that the Select Committee of which he was a Member considered the subject very carefully two years ago, and did not see their way to recommend any special legislation, and that the clause in the draft Bill referred to that Committee relating to gipsy - van children was omitted in the Act.