§ Mr. JAMES HASLAMasked the President of the Local Government Board whether he is aware that aged people living with sons or sons-in-law, and who hitherto, consequent on age and infirmity, have had a little relief from the rates, have had that relief stopped, and that the action of the board of guardians and the relieving officers in this connection is attributed to instructions received from the Local Government Board; whether he is aware that the outcome of this order in many cases will be the forcing of the aged poor into the workhouses of the country; and in such case whether it is the intention of the Local Government Board to take steps to recover the cost to the ratepayers from the sons and sons-in-law who have denied old people a shelter in their home consequent on the withdrawal of the few shillings relief hitherto paid prior to the issuing of said instructions or order?
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§ Mr. BURNSI believe that in some instances where relief had been given to aged people living with sons or sons-in-law the relief has been discontinued, but no instructions of the kind referred to in the question have been issued by the Local Government Board. I am not aware that in any such case the aged person has been forced into the workhouse. If he were it would be competent for the guardians to take steps to obtain an order of justices to require any child of the aged person, if of sufficient ability, to contribute to his maintenance. The Local Government Board would have no authority to do so. The liability to contribute to the cost of maintenance would not extend to a son-in-law.