The Setup of the Poor Law Commission

Question 1

3 commissioners

Answer 1

Thomas Frankland Lewis (Tory MP involved in Sturges-Bourne’s select committee), George Nicholls (radical overseer in Nottingham under old Poor Law), John Shaw-Lefevre

Question 2

Secretary to commission

Answer 2

Utilitarian lawyer, Edwin Chadwick

Question 3

Independence meant

Answer 3

commission had no spokesperson in parliament to defend it vs criticisms levelled against it by MPs, comms and ass comms were almost universally hated

Question 4

Powerful constitutional position due to its establishment by parliament

Answer 4

BUT did not have direct power that many assumed it could wield, comms could issue directives, draw up regulations and monitor implementation BUT this was not compulsive for parishes to follow

Question 5

Had a considerable range of negative powers at its disposal

Answer 5

E.g. vetoing appointments it thought unsuitable, refusing to allow certain types of building, set dietaries for workhouses, centralising according procedures