§ 62. Mr. W. THORNEasked the President of the Local Government Board whether the inquiry which it instituted in the case of Edith Plumb, was conducted by a barrister or solicitor; whether he saw Edith Plumb and took her evidence, asked her what inmates could give evidence, and took their evidence; whether he took the evidence of the police who saw her at the Court, or the rooms near the Court, or of the Court Missionary; whether she was accompanied to the Court by any women; whether she was given no food except bread and water for two days, and were they consecutive days; by whose orders was this punishment given; by whose orders was she prosecuted; did the guardians hear her before or after she was punished; and did they hear her before she was prosecuted?
§ Mr. BURNSNo formal inquiry has been held by my Department, but two of my inspectors, both of them barristers, have investigated the circumstances of the case. On the subject generally I may refer to the reply I gave to questions addressed to me on the 24th July.