§ Mr. HARRY LAWSONasked the President of the Local Government Board whether boards of guardians are obliged to refuse all Poor Law relief, except as indoor paupers, to men between the ages of forty and sixty who are thrown out of 785W work by the effects of the War; whether men so relieved are disqualified from civic rights; and if, under the circumstances, he will consider the possibility of relaxing this order?
§ Mr. HERBERT SAMUELIn ordinary circumstances boards of guardians are prohibited from giving outdoor relief to men unless relief is required on account of sickness or accident or of bodily or mental infirmity (whether arising from old age or otherwise) affecting the men or any members of their families dependent on them for support; but the Regulations expressly provide that this prohibition may be relaxed in exceptional circumstances or in particular instances of emergency. With regard to the question of possible disfranchisement, I may point out that poor relief received since 15th July last will not affect the Parliamentary registers of voters for 1915. There will, therefore, be ample opportunity for further consideration of this question before the registers for 1916 are prepared.