HC Deb 17 July 1918 vol 108 cc1047-8
71. Lord H. CAVENDISH-BENTINCK

asked the President of the Local Government Board whether over 100 children are being maintained in the Redruth Workhouse; and what steps he proposes to take with regard to this union?

The PRESIDENT of the LOCAL GOVERNMENT BOARD (Mr. Hayes Fisher)

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. In view of the restrictions on capital expenditure during the War it has been necessary in certain cases to suspend the requirements of Article 4 of the Poor Law Institutions Order, and so long as these restrictions are maintained, I am afraid that the children must remain in the workhouse.

Lord H. CAVENDISH-BENTINCK

Are there any special conditions in the Redruth district why these children should not be boarded out?

Mr. FISHER

I will make inquiries into that.

72. Lord H. CAVENDISH-BENTINCK

asked the President of the Local Government Board whether his attention has been drawn to the comments of the Board's inspector regarding the conditions under which boys are being maintained in the Helston Workhouse, the un-suitability of their food, and the necessity for preventing contact between the feeble-minded persons received under the certification order and these child inmates; and what steps he proposes to take with regard to this union?

Mr. FISHER

The inspector drew the attention of the guardians to certain defects in the boys' present quarters. The question of moving them to fresh quarters is under consideration.