§ MR. GOULDINGI beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland whether a circular or instruction has been issued by the Local Government Board to the guardians of the poor in Ireland, urging the adoption of regulations affecting the classification of inmates in workhouses, with a view of securing separate accommodation for the aged and deserving poor; and, if so, whether such classification and separation is being carried out.
§ MR. WYNDHAMThe Board issued a circular relating to the better classification of workhouse inmates in November, 1893, especially with regard to deserving aged married couples. They have also frequently brought the whole question under the notice of guardians through the medium of their inspectors. The 705 structural arrangements of Irish workhouses present great difficulties, and a thorough sub-classification of workhouse inmates throughout the country would involve an expenditure which the guardians would be reluctant to incur. Special inquiries were made by the Board in 1896, the outcome of which is the Poor Relief (Ireland) Act of last session, and the question of the amalgamation of workhouses, from which further desirable results in this connection may follow, is now under consideration.