§ MR. P. G. H. CARVILL (Newry)I beg to ask the President of the Local Government Board, whether Boards of Guardians in England have power, under 59 Geo. III. c. 12, and subsequent Acts, to hire or purchase land on which to employ unemployed poor persons under regulations to be made by the Local Government Board; and, if so, whether he has had his attention called to a request made by the Croydon Board of Guardians for such regulations to be made, and whether any other boards have made similar requests; if the Local Government Board has made or intends to make such regulations or rules; and, what is being done to enable Guardians in England to use these powers where they wish to do so.
§ MR. SHAW-LEFEVREAs the hon. Member is no doubt aware the powers referred to have not been exercised for a long period of years, and although they are still on the Statute Book have been regarded as obsolete. The Croydon Board of Guardians have, however, been informed that if they submit to the Local Government Board any scheme which 970 they desire to propose for the acquiring of land as suggested, and inform the Board fully of the details of the arrangements which they contemplate in connection with their scheme, the Board will give the proposal of the Guardians their careful consideration. I am not aware that any other similar request has been made by a Board of Guardians.