§ MR. LEAHY (Kildare, S.)asked the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, If he is aware that at a meet- 1826 ing of the Belfast Dispensary Committee, regularly convened, and held on the 10th February, 1888, to investigate charges against Dr. Spedding, one of the dispensary medical officers of the Belfast Union, it was resolved, after hearing the evidence of the Rev. Mr. Dougherty, Police Constable Stewart (who was called in to remove the doctor from the house of the dying girl), Mrs. Graham, Mrs. Campbell, and Mrs. M'Connell, by a majority of 14 to 7, that the charges were fully sustained, and that he be suspended at once pending the necessary action of the Local Government Board; is it true that, although the disclosures were disinterestedly made by these witnesses, the Local Government Board have not thought fit to enforce their authority, nor strengthen the hands of the Committee in their efforts; and, what action will be now taken in the matter?
§ THE PARLIAMENTARY UNDER SECRETARY (Colonel KING-HARMAN) (Kent, Isle of Thanet)(who replied) said: It is the case that the Dispensary Committee on the 10th of Februrary decided by a large majority to suspend the medical officer referred to in consequence of the charges brought against him. He, however, having asked for an inquiry on oath into such charge, the Local Government Board directed their Medical Inspector to hold such inquiry. He did so on the 24th of February. His Report thereon was received yesterday, and will have the careful attention of the Local Government Board.