§ MR. MANSFIELDI beg to ask the President of the Local Government Board, if he has received recently reports as to the means of extinguishing fire, the provision of fire escapes, and the general safety of the inmates in the case of fire in respect to the workhouses of the United Kingdom; and, if so, will he state their nature and what steps he is taking upon them; and, if not, will he take steps to instruct the inspectors to make such reports at the first opportunity.
§ MR. WALTER LONGThe Inspectors of my Department have received instructions when visiting a workhouse always to consider the arrangements for extinguishing fire and for the escape of the inmates, and to draw attention to any cases where the arrangements are insufficient. From time to time they report cases of this kind, and in any such case pressure is brought to bear on the Guardians with a view to steps being taken to secure the safety of the inmates.