§ LORD EDMUND FITZMAURICE (Wiltshire, Cricklade)To ask the President of the Local Government Board if any steps have yet been taken in regard to the construction of a new workhouse at Tetbury; and if it is proposed to hold a local inquiry.
(Answered by Mr. Walter Long.) The guardians submitted for my approval plans for the erection of a new workhouse on a site comprising that of the present building, with some adjoining land. On the 23rd of last month I informed the guardians that the erection of a workhouse on this limited and inconvenient site would probably cost as much as a new workhouse on an altogether fresh site, and I pointed out to them that their scheme was otherwise open to objection in that the area at 215 their disposal would not admit of a desirable arrangement of the buildings or the possibility of any extension in the future, and that the confined character of the existing yards would be maintained. In view of those objections I requested the guardians to reconsider the matter, and I am awaiting a further communication from them on the subject. I do not propose that a local inquiry should be held at the present time.