§ MR. ESSEX (Gloucestershire, Cirencester)I beg to ask the President of the Local Government Board whether, in view of the fact that in many rural Poor Law districts sons whose weekly wages are 13s. or even less per week are compelled to contribute towards the cost of Poor Law relief to their indigent parents, he will issue recommendations to such Poor Law authorities discouraging such demands; or whether he proposes shortly to introduce legislation, fixing a minimum scale of income below which a son or daughter may not legally be called upon to contribute to parental support.
§ THE PRESIDENT OF THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT BOARD (Mr. JOHN BURNS,) BatterseaChildren are only liable to contribute to the maintenance of their parents when, being of sufficient ability to make a contribution, they are required by an order of justices to do so. Any question as to the ability of a son or daughter to contribute is a matter for the justices when application is made to them for an order. I have not received complaints of harshness in the enforcement of the law on this subject, and I am not at present aware of any sufficient ground for taking action of the kind suggested by my hon. friend.