HC Deb 26 March 1886 vol 304 c17
MAJOR SAUNDERSON (Armagh, N.)

asked the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, Whether the Government is aware that, quite recently, George Marton, in charge on an evicted farm near Clerihan, in the Rose Green Dispensary District of the Cashel Union, in the county of Tipperary, was, while very ill, refused a ticket for medical relief by Mr. E. Heffernan, of Mocklers-town, on the grounds of his being an Emergency man, and was told he might get a doctor for himself, the consequence being that Marton, although seriously ill for ten days, was unable to procure medical relief, through there being no one within two miles who could issue medical relief tickets; and, whether Her Majesty's Government will take such steps as may prove necessary to prevent the issue of medical relief tickets being influenced by personal motives?

MR. SEXTON (Sligo, S.)

I would ask the Chief Secretary whether Emergency men are entitled to outdoor relief out of the poors' rate, having regard to the fact that their wages are generally 1s. 6d. a-day?

THE CHIEF SECRETARY (Mr. JOHN MORLEY) (Newcastle-on-Tyne)

I am informed that Marton was refused a dispensary ticket by Mr. Heffernan on the ground that he was in receipt of wages of £1 a-week, paid every Saturday. If the man was seriously ill and unable to pay a doctor, it seems strange that he should have omitted to communicate with the relieving officer, who is a responsible person, and who would not have refused relief without due cause.