HC Deb 27 March 1905 vol 143 cc1195-6
SIR JOHN GORST

I beg to ask the President of the Local Government Board whether he will address a circular to the local Poor Law authorities pointing out the duties of relieving officers in reference to giving medical and other relief to destitute children irrespective of the conduct and character of their parents; and whether the Local Government Board will suggest that, in case of relief in kind given to destitute children, part of such relief should be in the form of milk.

THE PRESIDENT OF THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT BOARD (Mr. GERALD BALFOUR, Leeds, Central)

My reply to the Question of my right hon. friend must be to the same effect as that which I gave on the 20th instant † to a somewhat similar Question put to me by the hon. Member for the Ilkeston Division. I am not aware of any reason for supposing that boards of guardians and their officers are not alive to the powers and duties which attach to them in relation to destitute children, where application is made to them for relief. With regard † See page 427. to the latter part of the Question, I think that boards of guardians may be trusted to use their discretion as to the giving of milk as outdoor relief to destitute children. The Local Government Board called the attention of their inspectors to the subject last year. It does not appear to me to be necessary to issue a circular as suggested.

SIR JOHN GORST

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the Lambeth Board of Guardians sent an officer, at my request, to inquire into the case of certain destitute children, and that he did not relieve them at all?

MR. GERALD BALFOUR

I am not sufficiently acquainted with the circumstances.

SIR JOHN GORST

Will the right hon. Gentleman inquire?

MR. GERALD BALFOUR

I shall be pleased to do so.

MR. HORNER (Lambeth, N.)

Did the officer not find that there was no need for relief?

[No Answer was returned.]