HC Deb 25 August 1893 vol 16 cc1099-100
MR. FIELD (Dublin, St. Patrick's)

I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland whether he will advise the Local Government Board to take tobacco and snuff out of the category of articles which can only be ordered as medical comforts by the medical officers alone, and confer on other Executive officers the power of granting them in properly selected cases as in England; and whether he will recommend the Local Government Board to advise Boards of Guardians in Ireland to provide a room for man and wife over 60 years of age, as allowed in England, so that similar practice may be the rule in both countries?

MR. J. MORLEY

I will take an opportunity of discussing this matter with the Local Government Board when I am next in Dublin.

*SIR C. W. DILKE

Is there not a statutory obligation to allow man and wife to life together when they are both over 60 years of age?

MR. J. MORLEY

was understood to reply that to the best of his belief that was so.

MR. J. BURNS (Battersea)

Will the right hon. Gentleman do his best to assimilate the practice in the administration of the Poor Law in Ireland with that in England?

MR. J. MORLEY

My hon. Friend, no doubt, knows that there were differences in the foundation of the two systems of Poor Law. My desire is, however, to do all possible in the direction he suggests.

COLONEL WARING (Down, N.)

Will the right hon. Gentleman put a stop to the practice of sending paupers from England and Scotland to Ireland?

MR. A. O'CONNOR (Donegal, E.)

And will he also institute inquiries into the scales of dietary?

MR. BARTLEY (Islington, N.)

Are not these matters which may fairly be left to the Home Rule Parliament?

MR. J. MORLEY

I should think so.