HC Deb 03 April 1928 vol 215 cc1793-4
53. Mr. CONNOLLY

asked the Minister of Health how many boards of guardians in England and Wales have complied with Article 4 of the Poor Law Institutions Order, 1913, which requires the removal of all children above three years of age from the workhouse; and how many boards have not so complied?

Sir K. WOOD

The number of boards of guardians who, for one reason or another, find themselves unable to comply completely with Article IV of the Poor Law Institutions Order, 1913, may vary from day to day, but it would appear that, out of a total of 625 unions in England and Wales, there are 74 in which the Order is not regularly observed.

Mr. CONNOLLY

Does not the right hon. Gentleman think that after 14 years' operation of this Order it is time to bring some pressure to bear on these backward boards?

Sir K. WOOD

There are a variety of reasons given in a number of these cases. If the hon. Gentleman would like to see me about them, I think I can give him an explanation of some of them at any rate.