HC Deb 24 April 1913 vol 52 cc542-3
102. Sir JOSEPH WALTON

asked the President of the Local Government Board whether, in considering an application for relief by an applicant residing with relatives not legally liable to maintain the applicant, the guardians are justified in granting outdoor relief to such applicant if before doing so they satisfy themselves by inquiry into the condition and circumstances of the applicant that the applicant is wholly unable to maintain himself or herself, that the relatives with whom the applicant is residing derive no benefit from the residence of the applicant with them by reason of services rendered or otherwise, and that if outdoor relief is refused the applicant must be brought into the workhouse; and whether they are also bound to inquire into the earnings and income and means of support of such relatives and to take the same into consideration in deciding the question as to whether the applicant is or is not destitute within the meaning of the circular letter of the Local Government Board of 18th March, 1910?

The PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY to the LOCAL GOVERNMENT BOARD (Mr. Herbert Lewis)

In determining the question whether Poor Law relief can be given to any applicant a board of guardians must have regard to the circumstances of the particular case. The view taken by the Local Government Board has been that in determining whether a person is in need of relief the guardians would properly have regard to the means of support possessed by or provided for the appliacant from whatever source such means may be derived.