§ Mr. DENNISONasked the Minister of Health if he is aware that the Rotherham Board of Guardians have issued 1,600 County Court summonses to the recipients of outdoor relief in 1921, due to their inability to repay the guardians; and whether he will take steps to stay the proceedings meantime, owing to the continued abnormal trade depression and consequent destitution in that area since 1921?
§ Sir K. WOODMy right hon. Friend is aware of the action taken by the Rotherham Board of Guardians, which is entirely within their discretion. He has no power to take the action suggested in the latter part of the question, but is quite sure that the guardians and the Courts concerned would have regard to all relevant circumstances in considering the extent to which repayment is to be required at the present time.