Folios 16-17. Draft letter from the Poor Law Board to George Spencer, Clerk to the Guardians of the Keighley Poor Law Union, regarding the receipt of a letter from Mr Browne, School Inspector. Browne was concerned that two boys at Bingley workhouse were not being educated but were sent out to work. Browne stated that the boys were sent out to work and that this was in violation of the law. Their wages of five shillings each were taken from them and this sum was larger than the cost of their maintenance. Neither could read or write or repeat the Lord's prayer. The guardians, in a letter on 24 April, admitted to the practice of sending children from the Bingley and Keighley workhouses to work in a factory and also to the want of the proper means of education for the children. The Board think that it is their duty to draw their attention to article 114 which requires that children at the workhouse receive at least three hours instruction every day, and they urge the union to make proper arrangements for the instruction of the two boys referred to and any others in the Bingley and Keighley workhouses for when sufficient means of education may not always be provided. The Board request that they are informed of the arrangements which are made for the paupers after this letter has been considered. Paper Number: 94456/1850. See also Paper Number: 14457/1851. Poor Law Union Number 571. Counties: Yorkshire West Riding. |