HC Deb 07 March 1892 vol 2 cc155-6
MR. FLYNN

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether his attention has been called to the circumstances of an inquest held at Whitechapel Workhouse, on the 3rd instant, on the body of John Sewell, waterside labourer, and at which the Jury returned a verdict of death from want and exposure; whether he is aware that it was stated at the inquest that this man and his son had to subsist on earnings of 2s. a fortnight; and whether the relieving officer of the district had his attention called to this case of destitution; and, if so, why no steps were taken in the matter?

THE PRESIDENT OF THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT BOARD (Mr. RITCHIE,) Tower Hamlets, St. George's

I will answer the hon. Member's question. I have communicated with the Guardians of the Whitechapel Union respecting the case referred to in the question, and I find that it was stated by John Sewell's son at the inquest that his father lived with him for a fortnight, and that during that time the earnings of the father and son only amounted to the sum stated in the question. No application was made to the relieving officer for relief by Sewell, or by any other person on his behalf; but the son stated at the inquest that he frequently urged his father to go into the Infirmary without avail. At last he consented to do so. when his case received immediate attention, but he died on the day following his admission. The Coroner, in his summing-up, stated that no blame could attach to the Poor Law authorities as no application had been made to them for relief, nor did they appear to have any knowledge of the case, until the deceased presented himself at the Infirmary.

MR. FLYNN

I wish to ask the right hon. Gentleman if this is the only precaution that is taken in reference to such cases? Would the right hon. Gentleman state what is the duty of the relieving officers, or whether it be not part of their duty to hunt up cases of this kind?

MR. RITCHIE

No, Sir, it is not their duty to hunt them up, but to deal with cases which are brought before them.

MR. FLYNN

Yes; but in this case the relieving officer's notice appears, from the right hon. Gentleman's statement, to have been called to the matter.

MR. RITCHIE

I stated that the relieving officer was unaware of it until application was made to him for medical relief, and then he gave an order for medical relief.