Hints on the planning of poor law buildings and mortuaries / [Albert C. Freeman].

  • Freeman, Albert C.
Date:
[1906]
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Licence: In copyright

Credit: Hints on the planning of poor law buildings and mortuaries / [Albert C. Freeman]. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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    [Circular.'] AGED MARRIED COUPLES IN WORKHOUSES. Local Government Board, Whitehall, S.W. SirI am directed by the Local Government Board to state that their attention has been drawn to com- plaints, in connection with the enforcement of the workhouse test by boards of guardians, that aged married couples on their admission to the workhouse are separated and required to live apart. The board therefore deem it desirable to bring under the special attention of the guardians the statutory provisions with reference to the non-separation in the workhouse of husband and wife in certain cases. The 10 and 11 Viet., c. 109, sec. 23, provides that “ When any two persons, being husband and wife, both of whom shall be above the age of sixty years, shall be received into any workhouse, in pursuance of the provisions of the said recited Act” (4 and 5 Will. IV., c. 76), “ or of this Act, or if any rule, order or regula- tion of the commissioners appointed by authority of jrd November, 1885. this Act, such two persons shall not be compelled to live separate and apart from each other in such work- house. The 39 and 40 Viet., c. 91, sec. 10, provides as follows: “ When any two persons, being husband and wife, shall be admitted into any workhouse, and either of them shall be infirm, sick, or disabled by any injury, or above the age of sixty years, it shall be lawful for the guardians of the union or parish to which such workhouse shall belong to permit, in their discretion, such husband and wife to live together, and every such case shall be reported forthwith to the Local Government Board. I am. Sir, Your obedient servant, HUGH OWEN, To the Clerk to the Guardians. Secretary. [ Circular Letter AGED DESERVING POOR. Local Sir,—I am directed by the Local Government Board to advert to the reply which was given by the president to a question put to him inthe House of Commons with regard to legislation on the subject of the recommenda- tions made by the Select Committee on the Cottage Homes Bill last year. The question was as follows: “ To ask the President of the Local Government Board why the Government have not brought in a Bill to carry out the recom- mendations in regard to the Poor Law unanimously made by the Select Committee appointed last year to consider the Cottage Home Bill, and whether the Government would now introduce such a Bill if an assurance were given that the Bill would be considered in an uncontroversial spirit.” The President said: “ I have been most anxious to deal with this question this session, but I have been unable to do so. I have prepared a series of new regulations affecting the classification of inmates in workhouses, with a view of securing separate accom- modation for the aged and deserving poor. I have also carefully considered the Bill which would be required in connection with these regulations and for the pur- pose of giving effect to the recommendations of the Select Committee, but my difficulty has been this— that the necessary legislation would require the aid of the Chancellor of the Exchequer; and having regard to the enormous expenses which he has to meet at the Government Board, Whitehall, S.W. August 4, 1 goo. present time, I have come to the conclusion, although very reluctantly, that this is not a fitting moment to make further demands upon him. It is for this reason that the Government have not brought in a Bill on the subject.” Although, as was pointed out, the moment is not pro- pitious for legislation of the kind referred to, the board think that it would be useful that guardians should be informed of their views, so that the hands of the guardians may be strengthened in dealing with these matters so far as existing circumstances will permit. The removal of imbeciles from workhouses was strongly recommended by the Select Committee, and its advisa- bility has been repeatedly brought before the board by guardians and others, but this question is one which must be deferred. The removal of children from workhouses, which was also recommended by the committee, has been still more strongly urged upon the board. It is a question on which the public opinion is undoubtedly in accord with the recommendation of the committee, and I am directed to urge upon boards of guardians to let no opportunity pass of carrying such an arrange- ment into effect. The opportunity will frequently arise when there is a question of enlarging the in- firmary wards of the workhouse or of increasing the accommodation in some other respect, and when it may be felt that the wisest course would be to provide the
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