§ MR. SUMMERBELL (Sunderland)To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether his attention has been called to the case of Ellen Simpson, who was shown at the inquest held as to her death at Stepney, on the 16th March last, to have died from heart 1627 failure accelerated by want; and, if so, whether any relieving officer or other officer of the Stepney Guardians was present at the inquest; and at what date would particulars of this inquest be sent to the Local Government Board by the Home Office.
(Answered by Mr. Secretary Gladstone.) I understand that deceased and her sister had been refused outdoor relief, and that they declined to go into the workhouse. They appear to have been unable to look after themselves. No relieving officer was examined at the inquest; the woman had been in the district only a few days, and no relieving officer unfortunately knew anything of the case. Particulars of deaths from starvation or deaths accelerated by privation in 1907 will be furnished about March next, and sent to the Local Government Board. I am bringing the case to the notice of the Local Government Board.