§ MR. GIBB (St. Pancras, E.)asked the President of the Local Government Board, Whether his attention has been called to the disclosures connected with the mismanagement of the Homerton Hospital, and to the general dissatisfaction with the administration and expenditure of the Metropolitan Asylums Board; and, whether he is willing to facilitate the appointment of a Royal Commission or a Select Committee of this House to inquire into the management and expenditure of that Board?
§ THE PRESIDENT (Mr. JOSEPH CHAMBERLAIN) (Birmingham, W.)An inquiry was held last year by the direction of the President of the Local Government Board as to the management of the Homerton Hospital. The investigation was conducted by three of the Board's Inspectors, and extended over 39 days. The general result was that it was clearly shown that grave abuses, involving serious extravagance of expenditure, had arisen in connection with the hospital, for which, in the opinion of the Board, the committee, and especially the chairman of the committee, and certain officers of the managers were mainly responsible. The report of the inquiry has already been made public. The managers have made such arrangements as it is believed will prevent the occurrence of similar abuses in the future, and it does not appear to the Board that there would be any sufficient advantage in a further inquiry by a Royal Commission or Select Committee as suggested. It is due to the Board of Managers to add that the Metropolis is under a considerable obligation to them for the great services which they have rendered in meeting the emergencies connected with the outbreaks of infectious disease in London.
§ MR. JAMES STUART (Shoreditch, Hoxton)asked the President of the Local Government Board, Whether he was aware that great dissatisfaction existed in East London as to the inquiry into the question of asylums, and whether he would communicate with the Boards of Guardians of the Unions interested?
§ Mr. JOSEPH CHAMBERLAINNo, Sir, I am not aware of the dissatisfaction to which my hon. Friend refers; 635 but if there are any grounds for the dissatisfaction, I hope the Boards of Guardians will communicate with me.
§ MR. JAMES STUARTsaid, they would do so without delay.