§ MR. T. W. RUSSELLI beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland whether his attention has been called to the statement in the 1335 Kerry Weekly Reporter of 7th instant, that, on 22nd May, 1890, at Tralee, a man named John Everett obtained a "red ticket" directing Dr. John R. Hayes, the local dispensary doctor, to visit his son, Charles Everett, who was suddenly taken ill that day; that the ticket was duly left at the doctor's residence, who, although Everett called three times, failed to attend the sick child; and that the child died, without any medical attendance, at 2 o'clock next morning; whether a Coroner's Order was made to hold an inquest, and summonses were at once issued by the police for that purpose; whether the inquest was held; and if, not, why not; whether it is true, as stated, that the Coroner, Major Spring, acting on his own authority, failed to hold the inquest, after directing the summonses to be issued; what return was made as to the cause of death, and whether any explanation has been offered by Doctor Hayes?
§ MR. A. J. BALFOURI am informed by the police that the facts are as stated in the question. The failure of the doctor to attend on the sick child is certainly a matter requiring investigation, and I shall ask the Local Government Board to investigate it. The return of the cause of death was "convulsions," and I understand that the grounds upon which the Coroner decided not to hold the inquest, for which he had originally issued his precept, were that there was no suspicion of foul play.
§ DR. TANNERAm I to understand that the right hon. Gentleman proposes to institute an inquiry into the conduct of this medical officer, who happens to be a Nationalist, when he has refused a similar investigation into the conduct of a, medical officer who happens to be a supporter of the Government?
§ MR. A. J. BALFOURIf the hon. Member can show that there is any analogy between the two cases, of course, a similar course would be taken.