§ MR. LEES KNOWLES (Salford, W.)I beg to ask the President of the Local Government Board if his attention has been callen to a meeting of the Leigh Board of Guardians, held on 3rd April. at which allegations were made as to the ill-treatment of workhouse children at Tottington, and when it was stated that, out of 230 children in the school, only 84 were free from disease; whether industrial schools are subject to surprise visits from the Local Government Board inspectors, besides the annual formal visit of which notice is given; if not, whether he will institute such visits; and whether he proposes to take any action with regard to the school at Tottington.
§ THE PRESIDENT OF THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT BOARD (Mr. WALTER LONG,) Bristol, S.I have already made some investigations with regard to the allegations concerning the children sent by the Leigh Board of Guardians to the school at Tottington, and I have decided to direct an Inquiry on oath to be held on the subject. Schools certified under the Poor Law Certified Schools Act, 1862, may be visited any time by a Local Government Board Inspector at any time. Notice of such visits is not required, and is not usually given.