§ Mr. JAMES THOMASasked the President of the Local Government Board whether he is aware that, since the pauper disqualification has been removed, the Ashbourne guardians are compelling sons who formerly made weekly allowances to their parents through the relieving officers to continue such payments; and, having regard to these circumstances, will he say what action he proposes to take?
§ Mr. BURNSMy attention has been drawn to some correspondence with a relieving officer of the Ashbourne Poor Law Union, from which it would appear that the guardians were requiring relatives to continue, in respect of Old Age Pensioners, the contributions formerly made by them when these pensioners were in receipt of Poor Law relief. As the law now stands, there is no authority for this requirement, and I have informed the guardians accordingly.