MR. PICKEBSGILL (Bethnal Green, S. W.)who had given Notice to ask the President of the Local Government Board, Whether he has received protests from several Metropolitan Boards of Guardians against the proposal of the Metropolitan Asylums Board to erect a permanent small-pox hospital at Gore Farm, Darenth, at an estimated cost to the ratepayers of £116,000, which is, in the opinion of the Guardians, an unnecessary and extravagant expenditure; whether he is aware that it is proposed to hold a Conference of the Metropolitan Guardians, at an early date, to consider the question; and, whether he will withhold the assent of the Local Government Board to the proposed expenditure, at all events until this Conference has been held? said, he had now been informed that the Local Government Board had refused its assent. He wished to know if that was correct?
§ THE PRESIDENT (Mr. RITCHIE) (Tower Hamlets, St. George's)Yes, Sir; quite correct.