§ 64. Mr. WILLIAM THORNEasked the President of the Local Government Board if his attention has been called to the case of Miss Edith Plumb, who was tried before the Lambeth magistrate on Saturday last for refusing to work at scrubbing, which she was ordered to do by Miss Berry, the assistant matron of the workhouse; if he is aware that the person in question refused to do the scrubbing on account of ill-health, and was punished by the matron by being put on bread-and-water diet for two days; if he is aware that the 2210 magistrate discharged the woman and said that it was a monstrous case; if he intends taking any action in the matter; and if he has any power to punish the guardians for ordering the matron to put the woman on bread-and-water diet?
§ 89. Mr. ASTORasked the President of the Local Government Board whether this woman was in a weak state of health and had a child aged three and a half months; and, seeing that the magistrate discharged the defendant and described the case as a monstrous one, whether he proposes to take any action in the matter?
§ The PRESIDENT of the LOCAL GOVERNMENT BOARD (Mr. Burns)I have made inquiry into the case, which has also been the subject of investigation by a committee of the guardians. I understand that the woman was received into the workhouse, on account of the illness of her child, on the 10th May. The child, being ill, was at once taken to the infirmary and is making progress there. The mother did not nurse the child, and was passed by the medical officer as an able-bodied woman. She was employed on light work in the master's quarters for over two months, and during that time no complaint was made against her. She told the committee of the guardians that she had been at all times kindly treated by the master and matron, and was supplied with good food. On Thursday last she appears to have been offended at an order which was given to her, and refused to do any work. On the two following days she refused again, and on the third occasion she was charged at the Police Court. The committee have expressed their deep regret that she was sent to the Police Court in a weakly condition, the fact that she was in that condition not having been realised. I share their regret, and I consider that it is also to be regretted that the master of the workhouse was not present at the Court to explain the circumstances more fully. I am myself satisfied that the master's administration of this large institution is generally efficient and humane, and that his treatment of the poor girl in question had been kindly. The case is an unfortunate one, but I do not think that it calls for further action on my part. Arrangements are, I understand, in progress for the removal of the girl and her baby from the workhouse.