§ MR. L. HASLAM (Monmouth Boroughs)To ask the President of the Local Government Board whether he will consider the advisability of introducing legislation for the purpose of empowering magistrates to sentence to imprisonment with hard labour persons who, being able to contribute, fail, on a second appearance, to comply with a magisterial order to contribute towards the support of relatives who are chargeable to the common fund of a union.
(Answered by Mr. John Burns.) I have received representations from several boards of guardians in favour of an alteration of the law in the sense mentioned in the Question. The Royal Commission on the Poor Law have before them the subject of the contributions which should be made by persons for the support of their relatives, and I will bring under their notice the representations I have received. I do not think that legislation should be proposed on the subject pending their Report.