Christmas:

Government employees - Civil Servants - DO NOT MAKE GOVERNMENT POLICY - they didn't in the 1840s and they don't now - they never have. Government policy is formulated and set by the elected Government of the country, that policy having been set it is then handed to the Civil Service whose duty it is ensure that it is implemented as directed. Now IF you have evidence to correct that statement then please provide it. If you cannot do that, then please STFU about civil servants setting and dictating policy. Should you continue to insist that the Government's policy was set by Trevelyan during the period he spent at the Treasury then you are knowingly and deliberately telling a lie.

Guest mg That was basically what was done, once the problem got to the point that basic relief (i.e. providing food) was not coping. The logistical problems of getting food to the people were too great so the people came to where the food could be delivered. Trouble was that having got there they could not just simply stay there and be fed, their presence combined with the continuing influx of those seeking help would have rapidly overwhelmed the facilities in place, and that did often happen. A factor that can be seen even today in refugee camps and food distribution centres covering famine zones. So it a staged process had to be created:

1: Initial help - Sustain life
2: Work scheme - Provide money and food, to allow next stage in the process
3: Move - To work in town or city or emigrate

As a Government you do not go to the trouble and the expense of setting that sort of system up if you are trying to implement a deliberate policy of genocide - It just simply would not make any sense.