HC Deb 28 July 1851 vol 118 cc1572-3

Order for Committee read.

House in Committee.

SIR WILLIAM SOMERVILLE

said, that, having regard to the opposition which this Bill had excited, and to the impossibility of carrying it in the original form through the Committee at this late period of the Session, he had thought it desirable to adopt the suggestion of his noble Friend the Member for Kildare (Lord Naas), and to confine the operation of the Bill to dispensaries alone. Having to that extent given up his own opinion, he hoped that the Committee would, in consideration of the desperate state of the dispensaries of Ireland, not now persist in its opposition to the Bill.

MR. G. A. HAMILTON

was very glad the Government had adopted this course, and he hoped that hon. Gentlemen on both sides of the House would agree to make the measure as perfect as possible as far as dispensaries were concerned.

MR. SCULLY

expressed the deep regret he felt at the announcement of the right hon. Gentleman, as he had hoped that a general Bill would have been introduced this Session to remedy the evils of the existing system. At the same time he agreed in thinking it would be better to pass the measure in its restricted form, rather than not pass any at all; he hoped, however, that next Session Government would see the necessity of grappling with the whole question, and of introducing a more perfect and comprehensive measure on the subject.

COLONEL DUNNE

thought it would have been impossible to pass the Bill this Session, except as a Dispensary Bill. It was not correct to say that the Irish Members, as a body, were opposed to the principle of the Bill. They were only opposed to its details.

Clause 9 (power to afford Dispensary Relief).

MR. G. A. HAMILTON

proposed— In page 4, line 33, after the word 'Committee,' to insert the words, 'and the officiating Clergyman of each Denomination having charge of and being resident in any parish within such Dispensary district.' The object of the Amendment was to enable clergymen to be ex-officio members of the committees, for the purpose of giving tickets for medical relief to the poor of their districts.

SIR WILLIAM SOMERVILLE

opposed the Amendment.

Question put, "That those words be there inserted."

The Committee divided:—Ayes 21; Noes 22: Majority 1.

Clause agreed to. Clauses 10 to 19 inclusive struck out.

Clause 20.

MR. ROCHE

wished to know whether it was the intention of the Government to bring in a Bill to reform the abuses connected with hospitals and infirmaries in Ireland?

SIR WILLIAM SOMERVILLE

said, no one could be more convinced than he was of the necessity of some change in the law relating to Infirmaries, and he intended to lake up the question early next Session.

Clause agreed to. Clause 21 struck out. Remaining Clauses agreed to.

SIR ROBERT FERGUSON

proposed an additional clause, providing that the treasurer of each Union should deduct from the salary of each medical officer appointed under this Act the sum of 3l. per cent per annum, and so rateably from any such salary, of whatever amount; the sums so deducted to be paid to the Commissioners, and by them applied from time to time as occasion might require for the payment of such superannuation or retiring allowance, or gratuity, as might be ordered or appointed by the said Commissioners, with the sanction of the Lords' Commissioners of the Treasury.

SIR WILLIAM SOMERVILLE

said, he must oppose the Clause, on the ground that medical officers ought to be left to effect their own arrangements for securing annuities, or making any other provision for themselves or their families.

Clause withdrawn.

The House resumed. Bill reported, as amended.

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