HC Deb 27 February 1900 vol 79 c1218
MR. TALBOT () Oxford University

I beg to ask the President of the Local Government Board, whether his attention has been called to a statement that in 184 workhouses in England and Wales no chaplain or religious instructor of any kind is appointed by the guardians; whether this is in conformity with Article 153 of the General Order of the Poor Law Board of 1847; and what steps be intends to take in order to enforce obedience to the law.

THE PRESIDENT OF THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT BOARD (Mr. H. CHAPLIN,) Lincolnshire, Sleaford

I am aware of the statement referred to in the first paragraph of the Question. The article referred to in the second paragraph contemplates the appointment of a paid chaplain by the Guardians. But as I stated in the House on the 2nd June last,* the requirement has never been enforced by legal process since 1867. In cases where there is no paid chaplain, either the inmates have full permission to attend divine service outside the workhouse, or we have endeavoured so to arrange that divine service is usually per formed voluntarily by the vicar of the parish or a neighbouring clergyman.

LORD HUGH CECIL () Greenwich

Could not the appointment of chaplains be facilitated in some localities if the, appointment of Nonconformist ministers as instructors were permitted, so that the views of all denominations might be equally provided for?

[No answer was given.]