HL Deb 08 August 1904 vol 139 cc1327-8
LORD EMLY

I beg to ask His Majesty's Government (a) whether, having regard to the enormous number of children, girls, and women in Irish workhouses, His Majesty's Government will appoint a female inspector, whose duty it would be frequently, and without notice, to visit and inspect these children, girls, and women, and to report upon the conditions under which they live; (b) whether such female inspectors have been appointed in England or in Scotland.

LORD ASHBOURNE

I am informed that the position of the question is this. There are two female inspectors in the service of the Irish Local Government Board whose duties are concerned with the carrying out of the regulations dealing with the boarding-out of children by boards of guardians. There are three such inspectors on the staff of the English Department, but none, so far as I am aware, in the service of the Scotch Local Government Board. It is open to the Irish Local Government Board to assign other duties to the female inspectors of boarded-out children. The opportunity for considering the matter will more properly arise when the Vice-Regal Commission on Poor Law Reform has furnished its report.

LORD EMLY

There are such inspectors in England?

LORD ASHBOURNE

Yes, the reply I have given suggests that there are three such inspectors on the staff of the English Department.

LORD EMLY

And none in Ireland?

LORD ASHBOURNE

No, but it is competent for the Irish Local Government Board to assign other duties than those at present held by the female inspectors of boarded-out children.