HC Deb 06 March 1890 vol 342 cc134-5
MR. McCARTAN

I beg to ask the Attorney General for Ireland whether his attention has been called to the Report of the proceedings at the New-townards Board of Guardians, as published in the Belfast Morning News of the 3rd instant, from which it appears that the Guardians, at their meeting on the 1st instant, unanimously resolved that the action of the Local Government Board in declining to approve of the appointment of Martha Davidson as Infirmary Nurse in the workhouse, and their refusal to allow her to be placed in temporary charge pending a new appointment, was "a most arbitrary and uncalled for interference with the action of the Board," and that the Board "thereby adhered to their appointment," and asked the Local Government Board to reconsider their decision; whether Mrs. Davidson was thereupon instructed by the Guardians to enter upon her duties forthwith; whether he will state the reason for interfering with the appointment made by the Guardians; and if he will reconsider the decision arrived at by the Local Government Board?

MR. MADDEN

The facts are as stated in the first two paragraphs. The Local Government Board, in the interest of the sick poor, declined to sanction the appointment, on the ground that Mrs. Davidson has had no training or experience qualifying her for the position, and they see no reason to reconsider that decision.