Mr. TYSON WILSONasked the President of the Local Government Board if his attention has been called to the case of a carpenter, named McCulloch, who was an inmate of the Hanwell Asylum from the beginning of December, 1908, to the 17th of May, 1909, and whose furniture was sold by order of the Hampstead Board of Guardians to maintain him while he was an inmate of this institution, although he had a wife and two children dependent upon him; whether he is aware that when this man was discharged from the asylum he found his home broken up, his tools and implements of trade in possession of the guardians, who refuse to give them up unless he pays for them; that it is impossible for this man to get employment at his trade unless he has his tools; and whether, under those circumstances, he can see his way to take some action in the matter?
§ Mr. JOHN BURNSI have made inquiry about this case. I am informed that at the time of his removal to the asylum McCulloch was living apart from his wife and children, and that his wife declined to have anything to do with his effects, which, with the exception of his tools and implements of trade, were accordingly sold under a justice's order. The proceeds were applied towards the cost of his maintenance. The tools and trade implements were taken care of by the guardians. McCulloch was discharged from the asylum on 17th May. He called at the workhouse on the 3rd instant, and was then informed that he could have the articles in question. He promised to send a conveyance for them, but, up to the present time, he has not done so.