§ MR. SALT (Stafford)I beg to ask the President of the Local Government Board, if it is his intention to introduce during the present Session any Bill to enlarge the powers of Poor Law Guardians in providing for pauper children who may be subject to neglect or ill-treatment?
§ * The PRESIDENT OF THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT BOARD (Mr. RITCHIE, ) Tower Hamlets, St. George'sI hope to be able to introduce during the present Session a Bill giving to Boards of Guardians increased powers with regard to control over children who, in consequence of desertion by their parents, have become chargeable on the rates. I have not contemplated the introduction of any measure dealing otherwise with the neglect or ill-treatment of children. Large additional powers with regard to cases of ill-treatment will be conferred by the Cruelty to Children (Prevention) Bill now before the House.