§ MR. BENNETT (Oxfordshire, Woodstock)I beg to ask the President of the Local Government Board whether he is aware that at an inquest held by the St. Pancras coroner on or about 10th November the widow of the deceased stated that she, being destitute, had applied for admission to a workhouse, but had been refused by the authorities unless her husband came with her; and will he say whether it is the duty of Poor Law officers to relieve destitute married women on their own application just as much as single women, or men, married or single, who are destitute.
§ MR. JOHN BURNSI have seen a newspaper report of this inquest, and am in communication with the guardians as to the alleged refusal to admit the woman to the workhouse. I may state generally that in a case of sudden and urgent necessity it would be the duty of the relieving officer to relieve a destitute married woman on her own application.