Preface

Chapter I

The Revolution of 1834

The 1834 Report—National Uniformity—The Able-bodied—Vagrants—Women—The Children—The Sick—The Aged and Impotent (or Infirm)—The Workhouse—Emigration—Relief on Loan—The Principles of 1834.

The Act of 1834 and its Amendments—National Uniformity—The Able-bodied—Vagrants—Women—Children—The Sick—The Aged and Impotent—The Workhouse—Emigration—Relief on Loan.

Chapter II

The Poor Law Commissioners

The Able-bodied (i.) on Outdoor Relief, (ii.) in the Workhouse—Vagrants—Women—Children—The Sick—Persons of Unsound Mind—Defectives—The Aged and Infirm—Non-Residents—The Workhouse—Admission—Segregation—Service—Diet—Cleanliness and Sanitation—Discipline—Employment—Sanctions—Discharge and Detention—The Workhouse of the General Consolidated Order of 1847—The position in 1847 compared with the Principles of 1834.

Chapter III

The Poor Law Board

The Able-bodied—National Uniformity—Municipal Work for the Unemployed—Vagrants—Women—Children—The Sick—Persons of Unsound Mind—Defectives—The Aged and Infirm—Non-Residents—The Workhouse—Emigration—Relief on Loan—Co-operation with Voluntary Agencies—The Position in 1871.

Chapter IV

The Local Government Board

The Able-bodied—National Uniformity—The Workhouse Test—The Labour Test—The modified Workhouse Test Order—The Test Workhouse—The Provision of Employment—The Farm Colony—Vagrants—Women—Children (i.) on Outdoor Relief; (ii.) in Poor Law Schools; (iii.) the Workhouse Children; (iv.) The Education of the Indoor Pauper Child; (v.) Boarding-out; (vi.) Apprenticeship; (vii.) Adoption—The Sick—Domiciliary Treatment—Institutional Treatment—The Municipal Medical Service—Persons of Unsound Mind—Defectives—The Aged and Infirm—Outdoor Relief—Indoor Relief—Non-Residents—The Workhouse—Emigration—Relief on Loan—Co-operation with Voluntary Agencies.

Chapter V

The Principles of 1907

The Departures from the Principles of 1834—The Principle of National Uniformity—The Principle of Less Eligibility—The Workhouse System—New Principles unknown in 1834—The Principle of Curative Treatment—The Principle of Universal Provision—The Principle of Compulsion—The Contrast between 1834 and 1907—No Man's Land.

Chapter VI

The Majority Report of the Royal Commission of 1905-1909

The Principles of 1907—The Plea for a Single Destitution Authority—The Reversion to 1834—The mutual Incompatibility of the Proposals of the Majority Report—The Principle of Curative Treatment and a Destitution Authority—The Principle of Compulsion and a Destitution Authority—The Principle of Universal Provision and a Destitution Authority.

Chapter VII

The Minority Report of the Royal Commission of 1905-1909

The Principle of Prevention—The "Moral Factor" in the Problem of Destitution—The Sphere of Voluntary Agencies in the Prevention of Destitution.

Chapter VIII

Summary and Conclusion

Appendix A

Memorandum by the Local Government Board as to the Local Authorities for Poor Law purposes and the Out-relief Orders in force at the end of the years 1847, 1871, 1906.

Appendix B

Extract from the Minority Report for Scotland giving the reasons in favour of the Complete Supersession of the Poor Law.

Index of Unions and other Places mentioned

Index of Subjects

Footnotes