HC Deb 19 May 1887 vol 315 cc514-5
MR, J. G. TALBOT (Oxford University)

asked the President of the Local Government Board, Whether his attention has been called to a Return, re- cently presented to this House, of deaths from starvation and privation in the Metropolitan District, whereby it appears that in the case of George Hicks, on -whom an inquest was held on 12th March, 1886, the verdict of the jury was to the effect that— Death was accelerated by exposure to cold in the wood shed of Paddington Workhouse; and that in the ease of Thomas Turner, on whom an inquest was held on the 8th December, 1886, the deceased— Had been deterred from asking farther parochial relief "by letters demanding repayment for a loan from the Edmonton Union; and, whether any official inquiry has been made into these cases; and, if not, whether he will cause inquiry to be made?

THE PRESIDENT (Mr. RITCHIE) (Tower Hamlets, St. George's)

I have seen the Return referred to. The attention of the Local Government Board was drawn to the case of Hicks at the time when it occurred, and they ascertained that a committee of the Paddington Guardians had inquired into the matter, and had come to the conclusion to make provision for warming the wood shed at the Workhouse. This report was adopted by the Guardians. I am inquiring whether the necessary alterations have been carried out. As regards the case of Turner, I am informed that when in June, 1886, he made application to the Edmonton Guardians for relief he applied for it on loan. He received relief in the months of June and July, but did not afterwards apply; and it was not until November that application was made to him to commence the repayment of the value of the relief granted him. Whether this application deterred him from asking for further relief I am not at present able to say; but I am making further inquiries on the subject.