§ MR. HEMPHILL (Tyrone, N.)I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland whether his attention has been called to a decision of Mr. W. E. Dunsterville, Resident Magistrate, at the Strabane Petty Sessions, on the 14th April inst., in which he refused to commit to St. Catherine's Certified Industrial School at Strabane a little girl named Mary Dempsey, who was otherwise admittedly a fit subject for such committal, on the sole ground that he had no legal power to do so because she was under six years of age, although the manager of the schools was willing to take her free of public charge; and whether, inasmuch as there is not any provision in the Industrial Schools Acts to warrant such a decision, and children under six years of age have been frequently committed to industrial schools, he will be good enough to state on what grounds this child, whose mother was then in prison, was debarred from being rescued from the streets and sent to an industrial school.
§ MR. WYNDHAMThe magistrate stated the grounds for his decision in court. It is not for me to criticise its validity.
§ MR. HEMPHILLI asked on what ground the magistrate based his decision. Is there anything in the Act of Parliament to exclude children under six years of age?
§ MR. WYNDHAMI have said the magistrate stated his decision. It is not for me to say whether or not he rightly interprets the Act.
§ MR. HEMPHILLWill the right hon. Gentleman inquire further. This child of four is a perfect waif. She cannot appeal from the decision, and there will be no redress unless the right hon. Gentleman sees that the magistrate is set right.
§ MR. WYNDHAMIf I find it possible I will further inquire into the matter.