§ MR. DALYI beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland whether he is aware that boards of guardians in Ireland have not the power of out-nursing children whose parents are in the workhouse; whether he is aware that out-nursed children become more industrious and useful members of society than if reared in the workhouse; and whether he will alter the Local Government rule and allow boards of guardians to out-nurse all children under their charge.
§ MR. ATKINSON (for Mr. G. W. BALFOUR)The answer to the first paragraph of this question is in the affirmative. The system of boarding out of pauper children is found to be advantageous to the children, if it is carried out under careful supervision. As a rule this method of providing for orphan and deserted children is found to be more satisfactory than maintaining them in the workhouse. Boarding out provisions are restricted to orphan and deserted children by law, and not by any rule of the Local Government Board. It would require legislation to carry out the change suggested in the last paragraph.
§ MR. FLAVINWill the right hon. Gentleman advise that legislation be introduced?
§ [No answer was given.]