Poor Relief - Law Commission

Reference Extent of repeal or revocation
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32 Geo.3 c.85 (1792)
(Whitchurch (Salop)
Poor Relief Act)
The whole Act.
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32 Geo.3 c.85 (1792) (Whitchurch (Salop) Poor Relief Act)
1. This note proposes the repeal of an obsolete 1792 Act passed to provide relief
for the poor living in the parish of Whitchurch, in Salop. 69
2. According to its long title, the purpose of the 1792 Act was:
for the better Relief and Employment of the Poor of and within such Part of
the Parish of Whitchurch as maintains its own Poor, and lies within the
County of Salop.
3. The preamble to the 1792 Act recorded that the poor living in the parish of
Whitchurch were “very numerous, and are supported and maintained and at a great
and burthensome Expence by the Inhabitants of … the said Parish”. The preamble
also recorded the desirability for “providing … a convenient House or Houses for the
general Reception of the Poor of such part of the said Parish as lies within the
County of Salop, and granting proper Powers for the Government, Regulation, and
Employment of such Poor”.
4. The 1792 Act provided as follows:
(a) establishment of corporation to be known as The Guardians of the Poor of
that Part of the Parish of Whitchurch which lies within the County of Salop
(“the Guardians”) comprising all local residents in possession of land
rated at £20 and certain other persons; the Guardians empowered to buy
and sell land or goods for the purposes of this Act (Section 1)
(b) first meeting of the Guardians to be held on 22 September 1792; provision
for quarterly meetings; women to vote by proxy; Guardians and Directors
who are Justices of the Peace may act as Justices in the execution of this
Act (Sections 2 – 3)
(c) qualifications of the Directors; Guardians and Directors to cover their own
expenses; provision to avoid conflicts of interest for Directors and Officers
concerning contracts arising under this Act (Sections 4 - 5)
69 Now Shropshire.
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