§ 62. Mr. WINGasked the President of the Local Government Board whether he had noticed that, in the recently published list of starvation cases for 1914, there were three cases of death of old age pensioners in the unions of Shoreditch and Bethnal Green, and only three in all the rest of England and Wales; will he suggest to those boards that they should follow the example of the Derby board and inquire into the circumstances of the old age pensioners in their districts; will he ask the Poor Law inspector for the district to inquire and report to him as to what steps these boards have taken, and what measures the inspector has suggested, to induce aged persons in these unions to apply for medical relief when necessary; and will he also inquire whether those boards or their officers use any deterrents, such as requiring the aged persons to come before the board or a committee or putting the relief on loan?
§ Mr. HAYES FISHERThe answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. My right hon. Friend is having inquiries made, and will communicate the result to my hon. Friend.