HC Deb 31 July 1882 vol 273 cc206-7
MR. ARTHUR O'CONNOR

asked the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, Whether any representations have been made to the Local Government Board with respect to the conduct of Mr. R. C. Brown, the Chairman of the Carlow Board of Guardians, in refusing to put from the Chair a Resolution censuring the Clerk of the Union for suppressing documents; and, if so, whether the Local Government Board has given any, and what, decision in the matter; whether the same Chairman has, without the authority of the Board, caused new works to be constructed in connection with the workhouse and infirmary; and, if so, whether he is within his right in so doing; and, whether the Doctor Rawson, the medical officer, who also attends the soldiers stationed at Carlow, has on several occasions introduced into the workhouse, for treatment, soldiers suffering from loathsome skin and other affections; and, if so, whether the Chief Secretary intends to take any notice of the practice?

MR. TREVELYAN

Yes, Sir; I find that a representation was made to the Local Government Board by a member of the Board of Guardians to the effect mentioned in the Question, and that the Local Government Board have expressed their views to the Chairman, which were to the effect that when such a resolution was proposed the sense of the assembled Guardians ought to have been taken upon it. With regard to the second paragraph of the Question, the Local Government Board have received a report from the Clerk of the Union, in which he states that the Chairman, with the sanction of the Board of Guardians, authorized alterations to be made in connection with the workhouse infirmary, on the recommendation of the Visiting Committee, but no new works have been executed under his directions. With reference to the third part of the Question, the Local Government Board have obtained a report from the medical officer, from which it appears that he allowed certain persons outside the workhouse— soldiers among others—to be placed in a sulphur bath in an outhouse in the workhouse yard. No expense has been incurred by this proceeding, but the Local Government Board will communicate with the Guardians on the subject.