§ Mr. N. BUXTONasked the Minister of Health whether, in view of the fact that the Walsingham Board of Guardians are being asked, under a threat of surcharge, to discontinue the grant of out-relief in the case of the families of three labourers and that substitution for such relief of orders for the house would mean an addition of 31 inmates to the workhouse at a cost of at least £15 a week for maintenance, in lieu of the present out-relief of 14s. a week, he will make an exception in this case and allow the grant of out-relief to be continued?
Mr. CHAMBERLAIN:I am not prepared to approve a departure from the Regulations in force for the purpose of allowing outdoor relief to be given to supplement the wages of persons in full-time employment. It is clear that the effect of such relief is to reduce wages and to intensify the evil it is designed to meet.