§ MR. SAMUEL SMITH (Flintshire)I beg to ask the President of the Local Government Board whether his attention has been drawn to paragraph 517 of the Report of the Poor Law Schools Committee, where it is stated that the present system of reporting on the condition of children emigrated to Canada is decidedly unsatisfactory, as second reports have not hitherto been received on the same child by the Government authorities; and whether he will take steps to insure that an annual inspection of each pauper child brought to Canada by voluntary agencies shall be made annually, in conformity with the regulations of the Canadian Government?
§ MR. CHAPLINMy attention has been drawn to the paragraph referred to. The Canadian Government have provided for an annual inspection of children sent out to Canada by boards 750 of guardians, but not for an inspection of each child each year. It would undoubtedly be very much more satisfactory if the children were more frequently visited, and I will take the necessary steps with a view to communicating with the Dominion Government on the subject.
§ MR. ARTHUR O'CONNOR (Donegal, E.)Will the right hon. Gentleman consider the desirability of asking the Canadian Government to cause these children to be visited not during the summer, but during the winter, and to make special inquiry as to the amount of clothing allowed them, their accommodation, and the amount of exposure they are liable to.
§ MR. CHAPLINI did not hear the hon. Member very clearly, but I will pay attention to those points which I heard.