§ MR. WHITTAKER () Yorkshire, W.R., Spen ValleyTo ask the President of the Local Government Board whether his attention has been called to the fact that the number of orphan or deserted children emigrated to Canada by Boards of Guardians has fallen from 360 in 1893 to 174 last year, while 934 children were sent out there during the first six months of 1900 by various accredited societies, and for those 934 children 5,613 applications from householders were received: and whether, seeing that the cost to the Guardians in sending children to Canada is only one payment not exceeding £24, while the expense of maintaining them in workhouse schools here is £30 a year, he will take steps to bring to the notice of Boards of Guardians the increased facilities and advantages now existing in Canada for such children.
(Answered by Mr. Walter Long.) I am aware that the number of children 448 emigrated to Canada by Boards of guardians in recent years has been less than was the case in 1893, and that the number of children sent out by private societies in 1900 was considerably less than the number in respect of whom applications were received. Boards of Guardians have from time to time been made aware by the Local Government Board of their powers in relation to emigration, and the matter was referred to in a Circular issued so recently as August, 1900. I have no reason to doubt that the Guardians are fully informed on the subject, but I shall not fail to avail myself of any suitable opportunity of pressing the matter on their attention.