HC Deb 06 April 1910 vol 16 cc567-8W
Dr. ADDISON

asked the President of the Local Government Board whether his attention has been directed to the case of the death of a child of George James Duke, of 26, Laburnum Street, Shoreditch, upon whom an inquest was held on 11th February, and in which the medical evidence showed that the death of the child was due to inanition accelerated by the starvation of the mother, and upon which the jury added a rider to their verdict to the effect that the allowance of food should have been more liberal and should have been continued longer; whether he has inquired into the case; and, if so, with what result?

Mr. BURNS

I have been in communication with the Shoreditch Guardians about this case. It appears that on 13th January, two days after the birth of his child, the father applied to the relieving officer for relief, and that bread, sugar, oatmeal, and milk were supplied. On 17th January he made another application, and food was again given by the relieving officer. The father did not apply again for relief. The guardians have inquired into the case through a committee, who report that they regret the circumstances, and particularly that more adequate relief was not given in the case and that it was not watched for a time by the relieving officer, but that blame attaches to the father in that he did not renew his application.