HC Deb 03 December 1909 vol 13 cc602-3W
Mr. BROTHERTON

asked the President of the Local Government Board what was the Poor Law experience of the several members of the Royal Commission on the Poor Laws at the date of their appointment; and what experience, if any, the several members had in connection with Poor Law administration?

Mr. BURNS

The Royal Commission was appointed on the recommendation of the late Government to inquire not only into the Poor Law, but also into the means adopted outside the Poor Law for meeting distress arising from want of employment. I am not at the moment in a position to give exact particulars of the Poor Law experience of the several members of the Commission; but I understand that a majority of them had had experience of either central or local administration of the Poor Law, whilst several others were known to possess special knowledge and experience in relation to the subjects referred to the Commission.