HC Deb 20 January 1913 vol 47 cc30-1
51. Mr. KEIR HARDIE

asked the President of the Local Government Board whether his attention has been called to> the action of the Samford, Suffolk, Board of Guardians in causing a young woman at Hammersmith to be arrested, on the 4th January, for alleged failure to maintain her imbecile child in the workhouse; whether the woman had paid for maintaining the child for over six and a half years; whether it was taken to the workhouse without her knowledge; whether the guardians caused her to be arrested with out any previous intimation or notification that she was chargeable to them for the maintenance of the child; whether the address of the stepmother of the girl from whom the child was received, and also the girl herself, was well known to the clerk of the guardians; what action is he taking in connection with the matter; and whether, under the circumstances, he will call upon the guardians to apologise to the girl for having caused her to be arrested without cause, and to refund her all the expenses to which she has been put in connection with the case, including the fine imposed upon her by the magistrate?

Mr. BURNS

I have received a communication from the Samford Board of Guardians in this matter. It appears that the information before them was that Kate Tilbury had not for a considerable period made any payments in respect of the child's maintenance, and was about to leave the country. I have also received a letter from the South Street Mission, Hammersmith, in which statements are made which are inconsistent with those made to the guardians, and I am causing further inquiries to be made.

Mr. WEDGWOOD

Is it the habit of the guardians to arrest the mothers of illegitimate children if they fail to pay their contributions?

Mr. BURNS

Only under special circumstances, such as intention to leave the country or abandon the child.

Mr. WEDGWOOD

Then are these women only arrested when it is thought they are going to leave the country or abandon the child?

Mr. BURNS

The hon. Member must not read that suggestion into what I have just said.

Mr. WEDGWOOD

Is it possible women can be arrested although they are not about to abscond from the jurisdiction of the Court?

Mr. BURNS

That can only be determined when I have completed the further inquiries I have promised to make.