Mr. SYKESasked the President of the Local Government Board whether he intends issuing an order founded on the draft of an order embodied in the Report of the Departmental Committee on Out-relief; and, if so, seeing that this draft order contains conditions of an important nature affecting boards of guardians throughout the country, he will delay the issue of such order until boards of guardians throughout the country have had time and full opportunity of considering it and making representations on points in which, in their opinion, amendment might be desirable?
§ Mr. BURNSAs I have intimated in reply to previous questions, I do not propose to take any action upon the Report of the Departmental Committee until boards of guardians throughout the country have had time to consider the Order suggested by the Committee, and to make representations to me on the subject. I can assure the hon. Member that any such representations will receive my careful consideration.
§ Mr. LANSBURYasked the President of the Local Government Board if, in addi- 708W tion to obtaining the opinions of the Poor Law Unions' Association and other bodies on the merits of the proposed new Poor Law Order, he will, before issuing the order, obtain the opinion of this House as to whether the order should or should not be issued?
§ Mr. BURNSAs the hon. Member will have gathered from my previous replies to questions on this subject, it will not be practicable for me to take any action with regard to the proposed order for some time. Opportunities for a discussion on the subject will, no doubt, arise, but I am not in a position to make any promise such as the hon. Member desires.
§ Mr. WATTasked the Lord Advocate whether the proposed new Poor Law Order will be extended to Scotland; and, if so, will he say at what date it will come into operation?
§ Mr. UREThe answer is in the negative. The proposed Order does not extend beyond England and Wales.