HC Deb 22 December 1893 vol 20 cc204-5
MR. A. C. MORTON

I beg to ask the Secretary to the Local Government Board whether he has received any communication from the Mayor of Leeds as-to the warrant taken out by the relieving officer to the Bromley Guardians against Mr. Harrabin; whether he is aware that the clerk to the Guardians offered to give Mr. Harrabin's solicitors the warrant on payment of 27s. 9d.; and whether the-clerk to the Guardians sent a copy of that letter to the Local Government Board?

THE SECRETARY TO THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT BOARD (Sir W. FOSTER,) Derby, Ilkeston

The Local Government Board have received a communication from the Mayor of Leeds as to the warrant taken out by the relieving officer of the Bramley Union against Mr. Harrabin. It appears to be the case-that in a letter of the clerk to the Guardians to the solicitor of Mr. Harrabin the clerk offered to give up the warrant on payment of 27s. 9d. A copy of this letter was sent to the Local Government Board by the clerk to the Guardians in reply to their inquiry in connection with the previous question of my hon. Friend. The sum of 27s. 9d. referred to, as the Board are informed by the clerk to the Guardians, was made up. of 21s. 9d. in respect of the relief given, by the Guardians to the wife, and 6s. the cost of taking out the warrant.

MR. A. C. MORTON

May I ask whether officers of Boards of Guardians have a right to take out warrants for the purpose of extorting money? Is it not their duty rather simply to take out warrants against persons likely to go away?

SIR W. FOSTER

Without expressing any opinion with regard to the facts of this particular case, it appears to me that when a warrant is taken out under the Vagrant Act on behalf of a Board of Guardians the circumstances must be very exceptional to justify any unnecessary delay in the execution of the warrant, or such proceedings as those referred to.

MR. A. C. MORTON

This case has caused a great deal of feeling in Leeds. Will the Department hold a local inquiry into the circumstances?

SIR W. FOSTER

The facts, so far as the proceedings of the Guardians and their officers are concerned, do not appear to be in dispute, and it would not seem that any advantage would result from an inquiry being held by the Board.