HL Deb 01 May 1911 vol 8 cc54-7
THE EARL OF MAYO

My Lords, I beg to move for the Return set out on the Paper. The form is taken from the Appendix to the Report of the Viceregal Commission on the Poor Law, and it is most important that we should distinguish between illegitimate and other children in the workhouses in Ireland. Further, by this Return we shall know at once what boards of guardians are putting into force the boarding-out system and what boards are not by reason of the class of children in their workhouses. Certain classes of children can be boarded out, but according to the law other classes cannot. I think this will be a most useful Return in view of some system of Poor-law reform being, as I hope, introduced in the near future throughout the United Kingdom.

Moved, That there be laid before the House a Return of the number and parentage of children maintained in Irish workhouses in the following form, viz.—

NUMBER AND PARENTAL CONDITION OF CHILDREN MAINTAINED IN THE WORKHOUSE ON THE DAY OF, 1911.
A.—Legitimate.
Union. Children.
Ages.
Male. Female. Sick. Healthy. Under 2 years. Over 2 Years, under 10 Years. Over 10 Years.
(1) (2) (3) (4) (5) (6) (7)
continued
Children—continued Parents. Children, Orphan and Deserted. All Children Boarded Out.
Length of Time in Workhouse. Able-bodied.
Under 1 Month. Over 1 Month, under 3 Months. Over 3 Months, under 6 Months. Over 6 Months, under 1 Year. Over 1 Year. Sick. Aged and Infirm. Lunatic, &c., and Epileptic. Casuals or Ins and Outs. Vagrants or Tramps. Not Casuals or Vagrants.
(8) (9) (10) (11) (12) (13) (14) (15) (16) (17) (18) (19) (20)

B.—Illegitimate.
Union. Children.
Ages.
Male. Female. Sick. Healthy. Under 2 Years. Over 2 Years, under 10 Years. Over 10 Years.
(1) (2) (3) (4) (5) (6) (7)

—(The Earl of Mayo.)

THE PAYMASTER-GENERAL (LORD ASHBY ST. LEDGERS)

My Lords, there is no objection to this Return being furnished, but its production will take a considerable time. It will necessitate a communication to every workhouse in Ireland. Therefore the noble Earl must be prepared to wait some time for the Return.

THE EARL OF MAYO

I presume it will be granted before the end of the year?

LORD ASHBY ST. LEDGERS

Yes, I think I can promise that.

On Question, Motion agreed to; and ordered accordingly.