§ 82. Mr. RHYS DAVIESasked the Minister of Health whether he is aware that the Bolton Board of Guardians has decided to continue their refusal to grant outdoor relief to miners' wives and children, one of the grounds being that a decision of the board could not be altered for six months after the date of such decision; and whether he will intervene in such a way as to remove this obstacle to a change in the board's policy if they so desire?
§ Sir K. WOODYes, Sir. My right hon. Friend is aware of the decision of the Bolton guardians and that a motion for its rescission, which was fully discussed and rejected by 27 votes to 15 on the 14th July, was ruled out of order on the ground suggested on the 28th July. It is not in his power to intervene in the manner suggested, but he has no doubt that if the majority of the board desired to alter the present decision some way would be found of dealing with any difficulty arising from their Standing Orders.
§ Mr. DAVIESAm I to understand from the answer given that it is competent for this board of guardians, if they so desire, by a majority to alter their decision, in spite of the Standing Order?
§ Sir K. WOODNo, Sir. What I said was that if a majority of the board desire to come to some new conclusion, there would probably be no difficulty in arriving at that.
§ Mr. GREENALLIs the hon. Member aware that the chairman of the board pointed out that it was impossible for them, even by a majority, to rescind that resolution?
§ Sir K. WOODI am not aware of that.
§ Mr. DAVIESIs it competent for this board of guardians to decide that they will alter any decision before six months have elapsed Is it competent for them to do so by the law of the land?
§ Sir K. WOODYes, Sir. I suppose it is competent for any board to lay down its standing Orders and to abide by them.