SIR WALTER FOSTER (Derbyshire, Ilkeston)I beg to ask the President of the Local Government Board, whether he is aware that in the Llanelly Union relieving officers have been in the habit of using rooms in public houses for the purpose of dispensing out-door relief; and, whether he has information to show that such a practice prevails in other unions; if so, what steps he proposes to take to discourage a continuance of the practice
§ MR. GRANT LAWSONFrom inquiries which I have made I find that it has been the practice to administer relief at a public house in one of the districts of the Llanelly Union. The room in which the relief has been distributed is stated to be outside the main building, to have a separate entrance 184 and never to have been used for the sale of intoxicating liquors, but I am happy to say that arrangements are now being made for the payment of relief at the Parish Hall. I have no information to show that the use of public houses as relief stations prevails in other unions. The Local Government Board have already refused to allow this to be done where the matter has come to their knowledge, and this course I shall continue to pursue.
§ * MR. ALFRED DAVIES (Carmarthen Boroughs)Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the Llanelly Board of Guardians recently passed a Resolution prohibiting such payments in future?
§ MR. GRANT LAWSONI have said that in future the distribution is to take place at the Parish Hall, and, I presume, that is in consequence of some resolution passed by the Board.