§ MR. LEON (Bucks, N.)I beg to ask the President of the Local Government Board whether he is aware that, in 659 accordance with the Order of the Local Government Board, a Ladies' Visiting Committee was appointed by the Buckingham Board of Guardians, and that on the 20th May the Committee sent in its Report to the Board; whether he is aware that the Board refused to consider the Report, the Vice Chairman remarking at its meeting on 7th June that they ought to take no notice of the Report at all; and whether he will inquire into the circumstances, with a view of having the Report considered and dealt with by the Board?
§ THE PRESIDENT OF THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT BOARD (Mr. H. H. FOWLER, Wolverhampton, E.)I am informed that a Report made by the Ladies' Visiting Committee of the Buckingham Union was submitted to the Guardians at their meeting on the 20th May. The Guardians, after the Report had been read, resolved to pass on to the next business. On 17th June a motion for the rescinding of this resolution was negatived by 13 votes to 5; but it was at the same meeting resolved that the Ladies' Committee should be furnished with a book in which to make their Reports, and also with Rules for their guidance. I attach great importance to the assistance which Ladies' Visiting Committees can render to Poor Law administration, so far as it relates to women and children; and I hope that Boards of Guardians will, as far as practicable, avail themselves of the services of these Committees.
§ MR. LEONI should like to ask the right hon. Gentleman whether he is aware that since this question appeared on the Paper notice has been given by one of the Guardians to dispense with Ladies' Committees; and will the right hon. Gentleman take steps to prevent the Orders of the Local Government Board in respect to these matters being ignored?
§ MR. H. H. FOWLERI have no information as to that. I have no power to compel Boards of Guardians to avail themselves of the assistance of Ladies' Committees. All I can do is to repeat in public what I have already written to the Guardians—namely, that I strongly advise and urge them to avail themselves of the assistance of these Committees. I have no power at present to compel them to do so; but if the Local Govern- 660 ment Bill passes in the course of the present year the difficulty will be got rid of.