The Sun.
London, England, 1846-02-23 00:00:00

POOR-LAW RETURNS.

Mr. Wodehouse, Member for Norfolk, moved, on the 9th,
for a " Return showing the population, the amount of money
levied for poor-rates, and the ratio which the amount levied.
for poor-rates bore to the population in each of the counties
in England and Wales during each of the years ending Lady-
day, 1813, 1824, and 1844 ; also a return of the amount levied
for poor-rates in England and Wales (exclusive of the coun-
ties of Kent, Middlesex, and Surrey) for each of the years
ending Lady-day, 1826 and 1841, distinguishing the amount
levied on landed property, dwelling-houses, and all other
kinds of property, with the proportion per cent. which the
amount levied on each description of property bears to the
total amount levied." He also moved for an " Account of
the expenses of medical relief in each union and parish of
England and Wales under the regulations of the Poor-law
Commissioners, ending Lady-day, 1843, 1844, and 1845,
together with the total cost of relief to the poor in eaeh
union." By the first branch of the returns, ,it seems that
in 1811 the total population if England and Wales was
10,150,615 ; the total money levied for poor-rate, &c., for
the year ending Lady-day, 1813, was 8,646,8411., and the
gate per head on the population was as much as " 175."
The population in 1821 was 11,978,875 ; the poor-rates, &c.,
in 1824 amounted to 6,833,6301., and the rate per head on
the population was then 11s. 6d. In 1831 the population
was 13,897,187 ; the poor-rates, Lee. 8,338,079/. ; and the
rate per head on the population 12s. In 1841 the population,
was 15,906,741 ; the poor-rites, &c., 6,847,2051., and the rate
per head on the population Bs. 7d. The ratio which the
amount levied for poor-rates bore to the population varied
very much. In 1812 the highest ratio was in Sussex, where
it was as much as 365. 1 Id. •' and the lowest in Ctimberland,
where it was only 10s. ld. In 1844 it was the highest in
Wilts, where it was 12s. 11d.; and the lowest in Cumber-
land, where it was only 6s. Id. In the second part of the
return a statement is made showing the amount levied for
poor-rates in England and Wales (exclusive of Kent, Mid-
dlesex, and Surrey), at certain periods—namely, 1826 and
1841, distinguishing the amount levied on landed property,
dwelling• houses, and all other property. In 1826 it was
5,740,4361., and in 1841, 5,154,352/. The aggregate
totals of Kent, Middlesex, and Surrey, not included
in the above totals, were 1,225,7201. in Ifl6, and
1,197,4761. in 1841. The amount levied on landed
property in 1826 was 4,404,529/. ; on dwelling-houses
1,057,215/.., and on all ether property 278,6921. ; and in 1841
the sums respectively were 3,113,180/., 1,451,3161., and
589,856/., showing that in 1841 the amount levied on landed
property was considerably larger than that levied on dwell-
ing-houses and other property. The total amount levied on
lauded property being 3,113,1801., and on dwelling-houses
and all other property 2,041,1721. The last branch relates
to the. amount of money expended for medical relief, and the
total cost of relief to the poor during the three years ending
1845. In 1845 there were 691 unions in England and Wales.
In 1143 the amount expended for medical relief was 147,2631.,
in which year the total cost of relief to the poor, including
medical relief, was 4,626,356/. In 1844 the amount expended
for medical relief was 152,229/., when the total relief to the
poor, including medical relief, was 4,455,017/. ; and in 1845,
the amount. expended for medical relief was 157,409/., in
which year the total cost of relief to the poor, including me-
dical relief, was 4,474,275/.