Poor Relief - Law Commission

Reference Extent of repeal or revocation
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39 & 40 Geo.3 c.xlviii (1800) The whole Act.
(Aldbourne Workhouse and Overseers Act)
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39 & 40 Geo.3 c.xlviii (1800) (Aldbourne Workhouse and Overseers Act)
1. This note proposes the repeal of an obsolete 1800 Act passed to provide relief
for the poor living in the parish of Aldbourne in Wiltshire.
2. According to its long title, the purpose of the 1800 Act was:
for providing a Workhouse for the Use of the Parish of Aldbourne in the
County of Wilts; and for appointing an additional Overseer for the better
Government of the Poor of the said Parish.
3. The preamble to the 1800 Act recorded that the poor living in the parish of
Aldbourne “are exceedingly numerous: And whereas if a Workhouse were to be
provided for the said Parish, wherein the Poor thereof might be kept and employed,
and Power given to compel them to work, the Rates for their Relief might be
rendered much less burdensome … than at present”. The preamble also recorded
the need to appoint an additional overseer. 81
4. The 1800 Act provided as follows:
(a) appointment of trustees to provide and maintain a workhouse in the
parish; election of replacement trustees; meetings of trustees; one trustee
to be elected as President; disqualification as trustee; appointment of
officers (sections 1 to 6)
(b) trustees authorised to borrow money against the security of the rates
raised under the 1800 Act; transfer of such loans (sections 7 to 9)
(c) trustees authorised to purchase land on which to build the workhouse;
powers to build, repair and maintain the workhouse, and enter into
contracts for the construction; power to hire premises; contracts to be
recorded; churchwardens and overseers required to provide trustees with
all necessary funds (sections 10 to 14)
81 An overseer was a parish official whose function was to collect poor-rates from the inhabitants of the
parish. Outside London, overseers were abolished by the Rating and Valuation Act 1925, ss 1(2), 68(1).
96