§ Mr. ALDENasked the President of the Local Government Board, whether, in view of the strong opinion expressed in the Report of the Poor Law Commission regarding the inadequate out-relief to widows with young children, and of the evidence on the same subject furnished by the Report of Dr. John C. McVail on Poor Law medical relief, and in view also of the fact that in a large number of cases food is provided for the children of these widows by the education committees because they are discovered to be underfed,. he will issue a circular to boards of guardians calling attention to the necessity of giving adequate out-relief in all such cases; or whether any steps to remedy this evil have yet been taken?
§ Mr. BURNSI do not understand that the Royal Commission recommended the giving of out-relief in all such cases as those referred to, but that, where outdoor relief was given, the amount of it should be adequate. The Local Government 225 Board have always held the view that, where the circumstances justify out-relief being given, it should be adequate in amount, and they have taken opportunities of impressing this view on Boards of Guardians. As I have previously stated, the recommendations of the Royal Commission generally are receiving my consideration. Meanwhile I do not think it necessary to issue a special circular with regard to this particular matter.
§ Mr. W. CROOKSHas not the time arrived when a scale might be issued. Boards of Guardians consider 1s. 6d. adequate in one district and 7s. insufficient in another?
§ Mr. BURNSSurely the hon. Member's question proves the unwisdom of issuing such a scale. He shows the dissimilarity of circumstances in the amounts he has mentioned. I believe the needs of the deserving poor are best served by leaving the adequacy of the amount to the decision of the guardians themselves.
§ Mr. ALDENDoes not the Report of the Poor Law Commission say there is a great deal of inadequate relief?
§ Mr. BURNSThat is so in some cases, but the inspectors make it a practice when they visit boards of guardians to do their very best to encourage them to give adequate assistance in the shape of relief to the deserving poor, and I am very glad to say that that is increasing.
§ Mr. LEIF JONESIs it not the absolute duty of boards of guardians to make adequate provision?
§ Mr. LUPTONWill the right hon. Gentleman give instructions to the inspectors when they go down into the country not to reprimand boards of guardians who in some cases try to give something approaching adequate relief to poor people?
§ Mr. BURNSI have no evidence of that, but cases have come within my knowledge where guardians give "adequate" relief which represents twice the amount of the average wage in the district.
§ Mr. LUPTONWill the right hon. Gentleman inquire? I think he will find cases in which the inspectors have reprimanded poor law guardians for giving 3s. a week.