Folios 233-234. Draft letter from E C [Edwin Chadwick, Secretary to the Poor Law...

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Reference	MH 12/16247/167
Date	1844-12-13
Description	Folios 233-234. Draft letter from E C [Edwin Chadwick, Secretary to the Poor Law Commission], to Thomas Watkins, Clerk to the Guardians of the Cardiff Poor Law Union, acknowledging their letter of the 7 December 1844 relating to the relief of mothers of bastard children. After careful consideration of the Act 7& 8 Vic c 101 the Commission are of the opinion that its operation in bastardy cases was intended to be keep entirely distinct from the administration of the poor law. The ground on which relief is to be administered remains unchanged, namely the inability of the mother to support the family and the regulations of the Commission. Respecting able bodied women receiving outdoor relief also remains the same, nor do they think it should be changed as the mothers have now better redress to support from the fathers. It follows the if a woman is now better before or after an order an order is made by the Justices is unable to maintain herself she should be relieved in the workhouse. The refusal of all relief could only be justified by clear proof that she was not destitute. If she deserts the child she of course is liable to punishment. Paper Number: 19007/B/1844. Poor Law Union Number 613. Counties: Glamorganshire and Monmouthshire.
Held by	The National Archives, Kew
Legal status	Public Record(s)
Language	English
Closure Status	Open Document, Open Description

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