§ SIR G. BADEN-POWELLI beg to ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, whether he is now able to make any further statement as to the conclusions come to after the inquiry into the condition of the reformatory ship Clarence.
§ MR. ASQUITHThe conclusions are substantially that there was a failure on the part of the Committee to visit the reformatory ship Clarence with sufficient frequency and regularity; that with regard to the outbreak of smallpox which occurred in November last, the Secretary of State is of opinion that no blame is attached to the captain for insufficient precautions having been taken; but after carefully considering the Report and evidence, he thinks the responsibility must rest with the medical officer, and he has expressed to the Committee his opinion that they should reinstate the captain in command of the Clarence, and he trusts that steps will be taken by the Committee in future to prevent the recurrence of the condition of things which has necessitated the recent inquiry.