HC Deb 13 March 1905 vol 142 c1203
MR. T. L. CORBETT (Down, N.)

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether his attention has been called to the influx of conventual and monastic institutions from France; whether there is any official record of their numbers; and whether the Government propose to take any steps to secure their inspection.

*THE SECRETARY OF STATE FOR THE HOME DEPARTMENT (Mr. AKERS-DOUGLAS, Kent, St. Augustine's)

I am aware that a considerable influx of these institutions has taken place, but there is no official record of their numbers. They are, of course, subject to the ordinary law of the land; and I am not aware that any special inspection is required.

MR. SLOAN (Belfast, S.)

May I ask the right hon. Gentleman on what ground he bases his statement that there is no ground for special inspection?

*MR. AKERS-DOUGLAS

I said that I am not aware that any special inspection is required. I would remind the hon. Gentleman that if these institutions require to be inspected they will be inspected under the ordinary law of the land.

MR. SLOAN

Has the right hon. Gentleman any knowledge that they are only religious institutions?

MR. T. L. CORBETT

May I ask whether conventual laundries are inspected under the ordinary law?

MR. MACVEAGH (Down, S.)

Has the attention of the right hon. Gentleman been called to the influx of Scotch candidates into Welsh constituencies?

[No Answer was returned.]