§ Mr. J. PARKER (on behalf of Mr. William Thorne)asked the President of the Local Government Board if he is aware that the 27 children to be emigrated to Canada by the West Ham guardians are of various ages between eight and 13 years; if he is prepared in future to decline to sanction the emigration of such young children; and if he is aware that the children in question were removed to the receiving home ready to go on board the ship before the sanction of the Local Government Board was obtained, and that three of the children were sent back to the union as being unfit for emigration?
§ Mr. BURNSI find that the number of children now proposed to be emigrated is 23, and that their ages vary from eight to 15. I do not think that very young children who are orphans or deserted should be emigrated, but I see no objection to children of the ages of those here in question being sent to Canada under the care of proper agencies. It is in accordance with the usual practice that the children should be sent to the receiving home in anticipation of the consent of the Local Government Board to the emigration, but, of course, the emigration cannot take place unless the consent of the board to the expenditure is given. Four of the childern originally proposed to be emigrated have not passed the examination of the medical officer of the Annie Macpherson Home of Industry. These children have been returned to the union school.
§ Mr. MIDDLEMOREMay I ask the right hon. Gentleman if he is aware whether, in the case of very young children who are emigrated, they are treated with proper care? There would be no inducement to send out children unless they are so treated.
§ Mr. BURNSMy observation when I was in Canada investigating this subject led me to believe that the children of all ages were well treated, and that they were comfortable.