§ Mr. BOWERMANasked the President of the Local Government Board if he is aware that in some instances boards of guardians have appointed as relieving officers persons who had had no previous experience of Poor Law work; whether such appointments are considered by the Board as assisting to secure the efficient administration of the Poor Law; and whether he is prepared to consider the propriety of declining to ratify such appointments in any future cases that may be brought to the notice of his department?
§ The PRESIDENT of the LOCAL GOVERNMENT BOARD (Mr. Burns)I am aware that in some instances persons have been appointed as relieving officers who have not had previous experience of Poor Law work. Appointments of the kind are discouraged by the Local Government Board, but it is difficult to say that such appointments should never be made. In dealing with them the Board are guided by their knowledge of the local circumstances, and the occupation and previous history of the person appointed.