§ MR. MACLURE (Lancashire, S.E., Stretford)asked the President of the Local Government Board, Whether the action of the Guardians of the Poor as regards the applications for casual relief on Friday nights at St. George's Workhouse, has received the sanction of the Local Government Board?
§ THE PRESIDENT (Mr. RITCHIE) (Tower Hamlets, St. George's)The Question of the hon. Member, no doubt, refers to the case of James Ayling, who was charged at the Marlborough Street Police Court with refractory conduct while an inmate of the casual ward of the St. George's Union. As regards the detention of the man over Sunday, his detention was authorized both by the Statute and the Regulations of the Board. At the casual ward referred to 880 it is the case that each casual pauper is placed in a separate compartment, and the construction of the ward in separate compartments had the sanction of the Board. This arrangement is regarded as a boon by the wayfarer who is bonâ fide travelling in search of work, as it secures him from close association with persons of the ordinary vagrant class, while the habitual vagrant regards it with disfavour as it prevents the association which he prefers. It is not under any Regulation of the Board that the casual paupers are detained in separate compartments on Sundays, when not present at religious service. The arrangement appears to me to be open to objection, and I have given instructions that the Guardians should be communicated with on the subject.