§ MR. SEXTONasked the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, Whether Dr. Hans Fleming, Medical Officer of Omagh Workhouse, has lately advised the Omagh Board of Guardians, in an official report, to keep the female children in the workhouse barefooted; and, if so, whether the Local Government Board will continue Dr. Fleming in office as a fit person to be the Medical Officer of the Workhouse?
§ MR. CAMPBELL-BANNERMANIt is true that Dr. Fleming has recently advised the Omagh Board of Guardians that, so far as health is concerned, children are quite as well, if not better, without shoes or stockings. The Local Government Board do not agree with him; but they do not think his having expressed the opinion he entertains when called upon to do so affords any reason for removing him from his position. The Guardians are not bound to be governed by his opinion on such a point.
MR. MACARTNEYIs it not the fact that a large number of children, the sons and daughters of ratepayers in Ireland, are accustomed to go barefooted?
§ MR. CAMPBELL-BANNERMANYes.
§ MR. CALLANasked whether the majority of the Guardians who were in favour of keeping the children barefooted were not the constituents of the hon. Member?
§ MR. SEXTONasked whether, if the children of ratepayers went barefooted, it was not because their parents had to pay rack rents?
§ MR. MITCHELL HENRYasked whether it was not usual even for grownup persons in country districts to carry their shoes and stockings in their hands, and to put them on when they got near the town?
§ [No reply.]