§ MR. EDWARD LAWRENCE (Cornwall, Truro)I beg to ask the President of the Local Government Board, whether his attention has been directed to a statement of one of the Local Government Board inspectors, which is referred to in the Report of the Poor Law Schools Inquiry, that one family of three children were admitted into and discharged from the workhouse 62 times between the 3rd of October 1893 and the 19th of November 1894; and, whether he is prepared to take action to provide a remedy?
§ THE PRESIDENT OF THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT BOARD (Mr. HENRY CHAPLIN, Lincolnshire, Sleaford)The case referred to is, of course, an exceptional one. Difficulties undoubtedly arise in connection with poor law administration, in consequence of inmates of workhouses frequently claiming the right to discharge themselves and their children, and returning to the workhouse after a short interval. No remedy for this could be effected without legislation; and my hon. Friend will understand that this is not within my power during the present Session, at all events.