§ MR. MYER (Lambeth, N.)I beg to ask the President of the Local Government Board whether he is aware that subscription lists are presented to the 1260 nurses in the hospitals of the Metropolitan Asylums Board, whose salaries range from £24 to £25 per annum, soliciting subscriptions for Christmas gifts to the matron and assistant matron, and day and night sisters, and also that the nurses are expected to give presents to the day and night servants, to the nurses rooms' servants and the gate porters; and whether he will communicate with the Asylums Board immediately, so that notices may be posted before the ensuing Christmas, discountenancing the system of the receipt of gifts by any of their officials.
§ MR. JOHN BURNSI have communicated with the Asylums Board with regard to this matter, and I find that inquiries with regard to it have been made by them at all their hospitals. I understand that the replies received show that in the large majority of the cases nothing of the kind mentioned in the Question takes place; but that in one instance the practice referred to appears to have prevailed, and that in two or three others there has been some such practice, though of a more limited and partial character. I am glad to say, however, that instructions were given on Saturday last to the medical superintendent in each of these cases to the effect that the practice should be discontinued forthwith.