§ Mr. INGLEBYasked the President of the Local Government Board whether he is aware that Article VIII. of the Boarding-out Order, 1911, is likely to interfere with the authority of boarding-out committees, seeing that the welcome they receive, and the readiness into which foster parents present their children and open their houses for inspection, are largely due to the fact that the visiting members come with money in their hands; that the periodical visits might tend to become less regular if committees were not obliged to make these payments at fixed intervals; and whether he will, under these circumstances, consider the advisability of withdrawing Article VIII.?
§ The PRESIDENT of the LOCAL GOVERNMENT BOARD (Mr. Burns)The reasons for inserting the provisions contained in Article VIII. of the new Boarding-out Order were explained in the Circular Letter accompanying the order, a copy of which I shall be pleased to send to the hon. Member. He will see that in Article VII. (No. 9) of the Order I have definitely required that every boarded-out child shall be visited at least once in six weeks. It was explained in the Circular Letter that I shall be ready to consider any representations which may be made by existing Beyond Union Committees, whose members have in the past made these payments, in favour of a continuance of that system.
§ Mr. INGLEBYMay I ask what advantage there is to be derived from sending the money by post?
§ Mr. BURNSI think there is an advantage in the payment to the foster parent being sent by postal order rather than the relieving officer or anybody else taking the money in their hands to the door.