The Times published on Wednesday its annual article upon a
The Legal Poor of London," which gives a most interesting account of the administration of the poor law during the year. Various administrative improvements have been put in force, the most important of which was the Order transferring the control of all casual paupers to the Metropolitan Asylums Board. Another Order is about to be issued to provide for a more satisfactory administration of outdoor relief. The review shows that the reduction of pauperism which took place in 1910 has continued this year. In January 11,491 paupers were transferred to the pension lists ; but there was also a further considerable reduction, which must be attri- buted to other causes, such as the improvement in trade. The latest return shows that there are 77,853 persons in the work- houses and 32,018 on outdoor relief—a total of 109,871. This number was lower by 14,012 than the total for December of last year. It is stated that if the reduction caused by the Pensions Act is taken into account the decrease is a little less than it was a year ago. We may add that notwithstanding this decrease the expenditure (for which precise returns are not available) continues to rise.
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