HC Deb 21 July 1893 vol 15 c203
MR. COBB () Warwick, S.E., Rugby

I beg to ask the President of the Local Government Board whether he will make inquiries into the case of James Morrey, of Napton, Warwickshire, who has been for many weeks and is now living in a state of the greatest destitution, and without sufficient food or the ordinary necessaries of life; whether he is aware that Morrey's application for outdoor relief has been brought before the Guardians of both the Southam and the Banbury Unions, and refused by both of them, partly on the ground that he came under the other Union; also that Dr. Haynes, the physician to the Leamington and South Warwickshire Hospital, on 21st June, 1893, signed a certificate that Morrey was ill and unable to follow his employment, and that he required outdoor relief, which certificate has been placed before both Boards of Guardians; and whether he will represent to these Boards of Guardians that, under the circumstances, one of them should forthwith grant Morrey proper outdoor relief?

MR. H. H. FOWLER

James Morrey, it appears, is residing in the Southam Union, and consequently the responsibility of giving such relief as the case may require devolves on the Guardians of that Union. I understand that the Guardians allowed him 8s. per week for two weeks, and then 10s. 4d. for two weeks; but in May last this out relief was discontinued by them, and Morrey was then offered an order for the workhouse. This was declined, and since the 30th of May no further application has been made by him to the relieving officer for relief. It is exclusively in the discretion of the Guardians whether, in such a case, they will give relief in the workhouse or outdoor relief, and the Local Government Board are expressly prohibited by Statute from ordering relief in any individual case. I am, however, in communication with the Guardians on this case.