§ DR. MACNAMARAI beg to ask the Secretary to the Board of Education whether his attention has been called to the statement of Miss Deverell, sub-inspector under the Board of Education, in evidence before the Physical Deterioration Committee, to the effect that she knew one school where the master stated that the children got most of their meals by meeting workmen's trains and begging scraps from the men; and, if so, what immediate steps he proposes to suggest in order that the needs of these children may he so attended to that they may be in a position to profit by the instruction offered them.
§ SIR WILLIAM ANSONI have read the evidence to which the hon. Member refers, but I think that he will agree with me that, in so serious a matter, statements made to a schoolmaster, repeated by him to a lady who communicated them to the Physical Deterioration Committee, would hardly furnish an adequate ground for Departmental action. I may add that I have myself been informed by teachers of the practice referred to, and my informants have added that it by no means necessarily follows that the children thus supplied cannot be fed at home.
§ DR. MACNAMARASeeing that this lady is fin official of the Department, has the hon. Gentleman any doubt as to the accuracy of her statement?
§ SIR WILLIAM ANSONNone whatever.