SIR U. KAY - SHUTTLEWORTH (Lancashire, Clitheroe)I beg to ask the President of the Local Government Board in reference to the Report of the Select Committee on the Cottage Homes Bill, and their recommendation that it should be the duty of the county councils to provide suitable accommodation in separate institutions for the proper treatment of all pauper imbeciles and epileptics, whether a Government Bill has been 242 prepared dealing with this point, so as not only to make room for better classification in workhouses, but also to obviate discomfort to the aged poor in the smaller workhouses; whether this is the same Bill, or part of the same Bill, which he has informed the House has not been brought in because of the other heavy demands on Mr. Chancellor of the Exchequer; and whether he can give the House any assurance that the Government will take an early opportunity of proposing such measures as are needed to give effect to some, at least, of the recommendations of the Cottage Homes Committee.
§ THE PRESIDENT OF THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT BOARD (Mr. CHAPLIN, Lincolnshire, Sleaford)The Bill to which I referred in reply to a question from the hon. Member for the Tyneside Division of Northumberland on the 10th instant,† is the only Bill I have considered in connection with this question, and I cannot hold out any hope that I shall be able to introduce another Bill on the same subject during this session. The object which I had in view is accurately stated in the question of the right hon. Baronet, but I think he will see that I cannot say more with regard to a measure which is not before us, and which, indeed, is not at present to be introduced.