§ Mr. JOWETTasked the President of the Local Government Board whether he is aware that at the end of March last the body of a man in workhouse dress was found in the River Thames at Abingdon Lock; whethere he is aware that it was the body of a feeble-minded inmate who had absconded from a workhouse; will he say if his name has been sent to him; whether he is aware that the deceased had previously shown suicidal tendencies and circumstances indicated that he had committed suicide shortly after leaving the workhouse; whether the Local Government Board had, before the receipt of this question, made any and, if so, what in-inquiries into the matter; and whether he is proposing to take steps to place feebleminded inmates of workhouses under the supervision of the Lunacy Commissioners?
§ Mr. BURNSMy attention was called in April to the circumstances relating to the case of George Harris, who had been an inmate of the Oxford Workhouse, and was found drowned at Abingdon on 28th March. My Inspector subsequently visited Oxford and made inquiries on the subject. He was informed that Harris had been in and out of the workhouse for several years, and that as he was always troublesome and discontented the master took care that he was seen by members of the visiting committee every week. The board understand from the clerk to the guardians that Harris was never classified as feebleminded; and that he had been examined frequently by the medical officer, who never found any symptoms of insanity or any indication of suicidal tendencies, but considered him to be possessed of ordinary intelligence. He last saw Harris on the 5thMarch, three days before he left the workhouse. The question of legislation in regard to the feeble-minded is under consideration, and my right hon. Friend is hoping to introduce a Bill at an early date.