Mr. E. HARVEYasked the Secretary to the Local Government Board (1) whether his attention has been directed to the action of the Lambeth Board of Guardians in passing a resolution depriving the Poor Law children under their charge of a hot-cross bun on Good Friday; whether the same board has already deprived these children of their accustomed Christmas eggs in order to impress upon them the fact that the nation is at war and that sacrifices are necessary; and whether he will inform the board that this method of imposing useless sacrifices upon poor children is not in the national interest; (2) whether the Lambeth Board of Guardians who have passed a resolution depriving 961W the Poor Law children under their care of hot-cross buns on Good Friday, on patriotic grounds, have passed any resolution depriving themselves of refreshments on the occasions of the meetings of the board or of sub-committees; and whether he will encourage the board to take any further action in this direction?
§ Mr. ANDERSONasked the Secretary to the Local Government Board whether his attention has been called to the fact that the Lambeth Board of Guardians, for the purpose of impressing upon the children in their charge that the country is at war and that sacrifices must be made, have decided on what was described as patriotic grounds to deprive the children of a hot-cross bun on Good Friday; and whether he will make representations to the board to reconsider a decision which does not represent any saving or economy?
§ Mr. HAYES FISHERI am informed that the resolution referred to was passed partly on grounds of economy and partly on the ground that many children who are not supported by the rates would this year be deprived of their buns. However, the necessary money to provide the buns has now been subscribed by the Guardians' officers and other friends of the children. I may add that the refreshments supplied to the guardians are paid for by the guardians themselves, and are not a charge upon the rates.