§ Mr. ERNEST EVANSasked the Minister of Health whether he is aware that the public attention created by the publication of annual returns of starvation cases was largely responsible for the reduction in the number of such cases in Whitechapel and in London generally after 1912, and for efforts being made by guardians in London unions to induce destitute persons to apply for relief; whether the Local Government Board took any and, if so, what steps to encourage the reduction in such cases; and whether, with a view to the further encouragement of a similar policy, he will revive the publication of such returns?
Mr. CHAMBERLAINI cannot accept the view that the publication of the returns referred to, which were first issued in 1871, helped to reduce the number of deaths from starvation. The officers of the central authority made, and still make, close inquiries into any case in which there is any suggestion that a defect in the Poor Law administration may have in any degree contributed to816W a death of this kind. As regards the last part of the question, I would refer to the reply given to the hon. Member on the 19th ultimo.