§ Mr. SMITHERSasked the Minister of Health the name of the workhouse where Mrs. Wise and her children were refused admittance last Christmas; and can he inform the House of the circumstances, and especially of the conduct of the master?
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§ Mr. GREENWOODI am advised that the facts of this case are as follow. On 13th November, 1930, Mrs. Olive Kathleen Wise applied to the relieving officer for the Walthamstow district of the Essex County Council for the admission of her four children into the central home belonging to the West Ham Borough Council, which is used by arrangement for applicants from this area of the county. The relieving officer offered her an order for herself as well as for the children in accordance with the usual practice. This order was not accepted, and no further application was made to the officer or his assistants or direct to the central home. As the offer was not accepted, the master was in no way concerned with the case. Mrs. Wise had been previously at times in receipt of both indoor and outdoor relief, and was accordingly familiar with the method of obtaining relief in case of need.