MR. CHARLES HOBHOUSE (Somerset, E.)I beg to ask the President of the Local Government Board whether, in view of the restrictions now placed on the visitation of pauper inmates of workhouses by their friends and relations, he will send a Circular to the Boards of Guardians throughout the country, instructing them to permit such visits to take place on at least five days in the week, between certain fixed hours in each day?
§ THE PRESIDENT OF THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT BOARD (Mr. H. H. FOWLER, Wolverhampton,E.)The Regulations of the Board provide that any person may visit any inmate of the work-house by permission of the master or matron, subject to such conditions and restrictions as the Guardians may prescribe. An arrangement requiring the Guardians throughout the county to permit visits on at least five days in the week, as suggested, might interfere with the discipline of the workhouse and considerably increase the difficulties of administration. If, however, I am informed of any cases where it is considered that the Guardians impose undue restrictions on the visitation of inmates, they shall receive my immediateattention.