73. Mr. PALMERasked the Minister of Health how many boards of guardians are devising schemes by which one workhouse is cleared of its adult inmates and set apart as an institution for the boarding and education of Poor Law children over three years of age; and, having regard to the fact that the duties of guardians in the matter are clearly expressed in the Poor Law Institution Order of 1913 and that this new method is contrary to its whole meaning and spirit, whether he will take immediate steps to see that the Order is enforced?
§ Dr. ADDISONThere are four cases in which schemes of the nature referred to in the question have been suggested, but only two in which such schemes are actively under consideration. These schemes are not inconsistent with the provisions of the Poor Law Institutions Order, and in the present abnormal conditions they may, in exceptional circumstances, provide the only practicable alternative to leaving the children in workhouses. But I have no intention of receding from the policy of removing children from workhouses and dealing with them by more suitable methods such as boarding-out, and I propose to make a further communication to boards of guardians on this subject.