§ SIR ERNEST FLOWER (Bradford, W.)To ask the President of the Local Government Board if he is aware that the certificate of the Union Schools of the West Ham Guardians, which in November, 1901, was exceeded by 169 children and in November. 1902, and September, 1903, was still exceeded, is at present exceeded by over 200 children; that the boys are entirely without day-room accommodation; that 144 girls have day-room accommodation of 23 feet 6 inches by 18 feet 2 inches only; that eighty-six infants have a day-room in which they also take their meals of 27 feet 2 inches by 18 feet 2 inches only; and whether, seeing that this overcrowding makes it impossible to isolate infectious diseases, and that skin and eye complaints are present in the same dormitory, he will urge on the guardians the necessity of ascertaining if all those children at present dependent on the rates are entitled to such maintenance, and of providing temporary accommodation by hiring houses in which small groups of children might be placed.
(Answered by Mr. Walter Long.) I am aware of the overcrowding at these schools, and have impressed upon the guardians the serious responsibility which attaches to them in this matter. The guardians inform me that they are endeavouring to make arrangements for boarding out some of the children beyond the union. I am still in communication with them, and I have urged them to hire homes in or near the union or to provide temporary buildings in order to remedy at once the present state of 538 things. I have also suggested that they should have a "call over" of the children with a view of ascertaining if the numbers cannot be reduced.