HC Deb 07 July 1927 vol 208 cc1419-20
13. Colonel DAY

asked the Minister of Health whether there have been any recent cases in which notices have been served by inspectors of his Department on guardians prohibiting the guardians keeping children in institutions which are under the control of the Ministry?

The MINISTER of HEALTH (Mr. Chamberlain)

My officers regularly draw the attention of boards of guardians to any instances in which they may find children retained in an institution contrary to the provisions of the Poor Law Institutions Order, 1913. It is not, however, any part of their duty to serve anything in the nature of formal notices on a board of guardians in this connection. An Order requiring a board of guardians to provide alternative and separate accommodation for the children receiving institutional relief from them was made by me in the case of one union last year.

Colonel DAY

Can the right hon. Gentleman give the union?

Mr. CHAMBERLAIN

Helston.

Colonel DAY

Is he aware that reports have appeared to the effect that the Minister of Health has served notices on the Cardigan Board of Guardians that 30 children under 14 years of age have to be removed from the workhouse; and will he make an investigation into the matter?