HC Deb 31 October 1911 vol 30 cc718-9
Mr. ORMSBY-GORE

asked the President of the Local Government Board whether he contemplates making an order dealing with casual pauperism in London; who will bear the increased expenditure if any increased expenditure is entailed; whether the order involves the transfer of authority over casual paupers from the Poor Law unions to the Metropolitan Asylums Board, County Council, or any other authority; whether any similar order will be put in force in any other part of the country; and whether he will give the House any opportunity of discussing any new order dealing with vagrancy before putting it in force?

Mr. BURNS

I am considering whether it may not be possible to improve the present system of dealing with casuals in London by transferring to the Metropolitan Asylums Board the management of the casual wards. For the present, I am not proposing to touch the system in operation in the rest of the country. I shall be happy to consider any suggestions which hon. Members may wish to make to me on the London question, but I do not think it is necessary to defer dealing with it until there has been a formal discussion of the subject in this House.

Mr. HARRY LAWSON

Is it possible to make this transfer without legislation?

Mr. BURNS

Yes, it is.