§ 95. Mr. JOWETTasked the President of the Local Government Board if his attention has been called to the action of the Chepstow Board of Guardians in refusing to continue to bear the cost of out-relief to support a widow to whom they had previously allowed out-relief for two years whilst she resided with a daughter, then unmarried and resident in Chepstow, after the daughter in question had married and removed to Newport taking her mother with her; and whether, having regard to the fact that the widow referred to is sixty-three years of age, is of good character and reputation, has brought up eleven children, of whom six are now living, including three sons invalided out of the Army, is crippled with neuritis, and has been obliged to go into the workhouse, where she is costing many times over the amount which the Newport guardians proposed to allow her in out relief subject to the consent of the Chep- 2216 stow guardians, notwithstanding the fact that her daughter is still willing to give her a home and all necessary personal attendance, he will obtain a full report of all the circumstances affecting this case, providing that he has not already done so, and afterwards bring pressure to bear on the Chepstow guardians to induce them to consent to make the necessary arrangements for repayment, to enable the Newport Guardians to continue to give out-relief if the facts are as they are here stated?
§ The PRESIDENT of the LOCAL GOVERNMENT BOARD (Mr. Hayes Fisher)My attention had not been previously called to this case. The Local Government Board have no power to interfere in any individual case for the purpose of ordering relief, or directing the manner in which relief should be given; but I will make inquiries and inform the hon. Member of the result.