§ MR. W. THORNE (West Ham, S.)I beg to ask the President of the Local 1258 Government Board whether he is aware of the lack of employment in West Ham and of the fact that turning men out of the workhouse tends to increase the evil; and whether, in view of the duty of the guardians to give employment in such cases in accordance with 43 Eliz., C. 2 and 4, and 5 Will. IV., c, 76, he will communicate with the West Ham Guardians and with the Local Government Board inspector of the district so that the law may be carried into effect.
§ THE PRESIDENT OF THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT BOARD (Mr. JOHN BURNS,) BatterseaI am aware of the circumstances connected with West Ham. It is no doubt the general duty of the Guardians to relieve cases of destitution where application is made to them for the purpose, but it does not appear to me that it is their duty under the statutes mentioned by my hon. friend to afford that relief in the particular way to which he refers.