§ MR. BRADLAUGH (Northampton)asked the President of the Local Government Board, whether his attention has been drawn to the unduly severe flogging of a pauper boy at Ulverston. Whether it appears from the proceedings before the Ulverston Board of Guardians that similar charges of cruelty to pauper children had been preferred against the official guilty in this case. And, whether he will direct an inquiry into the matter.
§ THE PRESIDENT OF THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT BOARD (Mr. RITCHIE, St. George's,) Tower HamletsI have communicated with the Guardians of the Ulverston Union on the subject of this Question. I learn from them that the pauper boy referred to was attending a Board School, and that the punishment was by the master of that school. The boy was examined by the medical officer of the workhouse and by four of the Guardians, who considered that the boy had been severely and unduly punished. There had, however, been no previous charge made to the Guardians of cruelty to pauper children by the master of the school, and the Guardians, after inquiring into the case and hearing the statements of the schoolmaster, appear to have been satisfied that although the boy had been very severely punished, there had been great provocation on the part of the boy. The Guardians, after fully discussing the subject, determined to proceed with the next business. The Local Government Board have no jurisdiction whatever with regard to the master of the Board School, but I have 698 drawn the attention of the Education Department to the facts, and they have informed me that they will communicate with the managers of the school, and, if necessary, direct further inquiry.