§ MR. PICKERSGILLasked the President of the Local Government Board if he had taken advice whether or not Boards of Guardians were the only persons who were competent to institute a prosecution against parents under the 37th Section of the Poor Law Amendment Act, 1868, for wilfully neglecting to provide food for their children, being in their custody; and in any case, whether he would issue a circular calling the attention of Boards of Guardians to their duties and responsibilities in the matter?
§ MR. RITCHIEI am advised that Boards of Guardians are not the only persons who are competent to institute proceedings against parents under the enactment referred to; but I should be sorry if the fact that such proceedings may be instituted by others should have any effect in inducing Boards of Guardians to be less vigilant with regard to such cases. So recently as the 31st of December last I caused a circular letter to be issued to the several Boards of Guardians, drawing their attention to the Section, and impressing upon them the duty which attaches to 588 them of instituting prosecutions in the cases to which it refers.