§ MR. BIGGARasked the President of the Local Government Board, Whether his attention has been drawn to a Letter from the Guardians of the Holborn Union, intimating that it is the intention of that Board to withdraw from the inquiry they have demanded into the conduct of Mr. Stanton, the Master of their Workhouse, if the Department insist (as has been officially communicated) on remitting such inquiry to Mr. Hedley, one of the Metropolitan Inspectors, alleging, as their reason, their distrust of Mr. Hedley's impartiality; whether, having regard to Mr. Robert Hedley's action at the official inquiry into the conduct of Mr. J. D. Bliss, Master of the Westminster Workhouse, 655 Poland Street, whereby Mr. Bliss was, and is, retained in his office, the Department intends to intrust the inquiry to Mr. Hedley; and, whether it be not within the competence of the Local Government Board to appoint some other inspector to conduct such official inquiry in his place?
MR. GEORGE RUSSELLMr. Hedley has for many years been an Inspector of the Board; and I am glad to have this opportunity of saying that he is an officer in whom the Board have the fullest confidence, and they have never had the slightest ground for doubting his impartiality in the inquiries which he has conducted on their behalf. I much regret to say that since the instructions were given for the inquiry in the Holborn case Mr. Hedley has received intelligence of the sudden death of his son. In consequence of this, and not on the ground suggested, it has become necessary for the Board to arrange for the inquiry into the conduct of Mr. Stanton, the Master of the Holborn Workhouse, being held by one of Mr. Hedley's colleagues.