RELIGIOUS MINISTRATION IN WORKHOUSES. (Hansard, 10 June 1898)

§ * LORD NORTON

My Lords, I beg to move for a Return, of which I have given notice, showing the names of the unions in England and Wales for which there are paid chaplains for the inmates of the workhouses; and also of the unions where there are no paid chaplains of the workhouses, and in such cases what religious ministration is provided for the inmates. I move for these Papers at the request of a great number of persons resident in various parts of the United Kingdom, and of several of your Lordships. Lord Mount-Edgcumbe wrote to me from abroad expressing strong interest in this subject at the present time in the West of England. The provision of religious ministration in all kinds of public asylums has been very much at heart of late, and much has been done in this direction; but of all classes of the community the inmates of workhouses have perhaps the greatest claim to that provision, destitute, and desolate, aged, infirm, and sick. I can hardly conceive a man so wanting in sympathy or a sense of public responsibility as to doubt that this helpless class have an imperative claim upon the State for religious ministration. The law is clear upon the subject. The poor law makes it obligatory on boards of guardians throughout the country to provide such ministration, but I am afraid the duty is largely disregarded. The Poor Law Commissioners have issued most elaborate rules upon the subject, and those rules have the authority of law; but when the Return which I am moving for is presented I am afraid the extent to which they are carried out will show a very considerable and dangerous deficiency. What is really wanted, and what is said ought to be provided in workhouses in the way of religious ministration, is that prayers should be read on Sundays. A daily prayer is generally read by the head of the workhouse, but on Sundays it is the law that this duty should be undertaken by a clergyman. The ministration of the Sacrament is still more 1279 important in those cases in which it would be impossible for the inmates to receive it elsewhere. I think your Lordships will allow that religious consolation and aid are needed perhaps by no class more than by the helpless inmates of our workhouses. There is also the instruction of children, who, though generally, I am thankful to say, sent out to schools, are still in many cases left in workhouses, and, unless some such provision as I have referred to is made, have none. There are many inmates of workhouses who are incapacitated from attending public worship elsewhere, and who are entirely dependent upon the house provision. Cases where the unions may be unable to maintain a paid chaplain are promised other clerical ministration, and ministers of all denominations have legal access to the workhouses to attend those of their own persuasion. The provision is complete if the law were only carried out, but I am afraid it is not carried out. I have made inquiries as to the reason for this, and I find that neglect has not occurred mostly in poor unions to save the rates, but more in consequence of religious jealousy, which is now, I am glad to say, very much reduced. I believe the Return which I am moving for will show that there are a very considerable number of workhouses which have neither chaplains nor any provision for religious ministration. At all events, the Return will furnish a guide to those who are anxious to assist in workhouses where the arrangements for the purpose are insufficient. I, therefore, my Lords, move for this Return.