HC Deb 31 March 1881 vol 260 cc353-4
MR. SUMMERS

asked the President of the Local Government Board, Whether Boards of Guardians in England and Wales are bound by the provisions of the Poor Relief Amendment Act, 31 and 32 Vic. c. 122, to permit any inmate of a workhouse for whom a religious service according to his own creed is not provided in the workhouse, to attend, at such times as the Poor Law Board shall allow, some place of worship of his own denomination within a convenient distance of the said workhouse?

MR. DODSON

Sir, section 21 of 31 & 32 Viet. c. 122, expressly provides that every inmate of a workhouse for whom a religious service according to his own creed is not provided in a workhouse shall be permitted, subject to regulation to be approved or ordered by the Local Government Board, to attend, at such times as the said Board shall allow, some place of worship of his own denomination within a convenient dis- tance of the workhouse, if there be such. In case, however, of the abuse of such permission, or on some other special ground, the Guardians may refuse permission to any particular inmate.