§ MR. W. H. SMITH (for Lord ALGERNON PERCY)asked the President of the Local Government Board, Whether the Guardians of the Westminster Union have called the attention of the Board to the recent decision of Mr. Justice Wills, in the proceedings lately taken against the Master of the Marylebone Workhouse, and other officials of that Union, with regard to the reception of insane persons into workhouses; whether it is proposed to issue any letter instructing masters of workhouses and relieving officers as to their duty in this matter; and, whether it is proposed to introduce any measure for the amendment of the Law relating to the reception of persons supposed to be insane into workhouses, 391 and for the protection of Poor Law officials from the responsibilities in which they may be involved by the strict application of Mr. Justice Wills's decision?
MR. GEORGE RUSSELLThe Guardians of the Westminster Union have called the attention of the Board to the decision of Mr. Justice Wills in the Marylebone case. It appears that in that case a woman who was not a pauper, and who was alleged not to be under proper care and control, was by stratagem removed to the workhouse, and was detained there against her will for a period of 14 days, and that the requirements of the Statute were altogether ignored. The publicity which has been given to the decision in this case will be a warning to the officers of other Unions if there should be any disposition to adopt a similar course. It does not at present appear to the Board to be necessary to issue a Circular letter on the subject, neither would they be prepared to propose legislation for legalizing action such as that in the case in question.