§ MR. FLOWER (Bradford, W.)I beg to ask the President of the Local Government Board whether he is aware that the Department has sanctioned the proposed purchase by the Guildford Poor Law Guardians of several acres of land, to erect a village community, including a school, for 100 children, at the cost of £20,000; whether the Department have suggested to the Guardians the advisability of building homes upon the Scattered Homes System, in view of the action of other Boards of Guardians upon 993 these lines; and if the Local Government Board are prepared to advise Guardians not to enter upon costly schemes involving the erection of special schools for the accommodation of Poor Law children.
§ THE SECRETARY OF THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT BOARD (Mr. GRANT LAWSON,) Yorkshire, N.R., ThirskThe answer to the first part of the Question is in the negative. No such proposal has been submitted to the Department. I am aware that the Guardians are considering the question; of removing the children from the workhouse, and I have furnished them with information as to the Scattered Homes System as well as other methods for dealing with Poor Law children. As regards the last point, no advice could be given which would be applicable generally. It is for the Guardians to consider in each particular case what scheme is most suitable for the accommodation of the children chargeable to their union.