HC Deb 01 March 1928 vol 214 cc576-7
14. Lord H. CAVENDISH-BENTINCK

asked the Home Secretary whether his attention has been drawn to the Report of an inquest on a baby named Fuller, at Bury St. Edmunds, on 12th December, 1927, whose father was an unemployed labourer whose normal earnings were 25s. to 30s. a week; whether he is aware that on his wife going into the Bury Workhouse for her confinement, as the father could get no home, he was charged by the Bury Guardians £1 a week during her stay of three weeks; that he took her out as he could not afford to pay longer; that he tried to get into the Attleborough casual ward but was told by the police that it was closed; that after their tramp through the night the baby was found dead; and whether he will hold a public inquiry under Section 253 of the Poor Law Act, 1927, and require the production of all books, documents, and papers in the hands of the boards, or any of their officers bearing on the subject?

Mr. CHAMBERLAIN

I have been asked to reply. Yes, Sir. I am sending my Noble Friend a copy of a memorandum based on exhaustive investigations which I have made. I am satisfied that the Bury Guardians did not behave improperly and that the family never was within 15 miles of Attleborough.