§ MR. KNOX (Cavan, W.)I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland whether he is aware that, when Patrick M'Cartland, of Belturbet, a widower with six children, all under nine years of age, dependent upon him, was sentenced to three months' imprisonment, leaving his family for the time without support, the Board of Guardians of the Cavan Union resolved, on the 6th August, 1889, that the best course would be to place the children in the charge of their nearest relative, their grandmother, and to allow her 1s. per week per child for their support during the term of their father's imprisonment, which is about half what it would have cost to support the children in the workhouse; whether the Auditor of the Local Government Board surcharged the sum so paid in out-door relief to the Chairman; and whether the Auditor acted with the sanction of the Local Government Board in the matter; and, if so, whether he will consider the expediency of giving the Guardians a wider discretion in such special cases?
§ MR. A J. BALFOURThe facts appear to be substantially as stated in the question. The Guardians could not, in the circumstances, legally grant outdoor relief to the man's family. The Auditor, therefore, was obliged to surcharge the Vice-Chairman, and the Local Government Board have no statutable power to give the Guardians a wider discretion of the nature indicated.