§ Lord H. CAVENDISH-BENTINCKasked the President of. the Local Government Board whether he is aware that a boy under twelve years of age named Herbert Collett was, while under remand, kept from Wednesday, 23rd January, to Monday, 28th January, in solitary confinement in a dark, unwarmed, and ill-smelling tramp cell in Hitchin Workhouse, being deprived of his clothes and made to sleep in a hammock with only 1404W two blankets, and that during the night tramps were admitted into the adjoining cells, where their conversation was plainly audible; whether he will state the number of workhouses which are authorised to be used as places of remand and detention for child offenders; and whether he will take immediate steps to secure that the accommodation provided by them is of a suitable character?
§ Mr. HAYES FISHERI am inquiring into the case mentioned in the first part of this question, and will inform my Noble Friend of the result of my inquiries. Sixty-seven Poor Law institutions are at present authorised to be used for the reception of remand children. Authority is only given subject to there being proper accommodation and sufficient classification, and to the guardians undertaking to provide proper supervision.