§ MR. WEBB (Waterford, W.)On behalf of my hon. Friend the Member for Westmeath (Mr. Tuite), I beg to ask the. Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland whether the attention of the Local Government Board for Ireland has been drawn to a charge of assault committed by Dr. King, the medical officer of the Delvin Union, on a poor man when in the act of presenting him with a dispensary ticket requiring the doctor's attendance on a member of his family; and what action he proposes to take in the matter?
§ MR. TUITEhad also given notice of the following question:—Whether it is the intention of the Local Government Board for Ireland to take any action in response to the communication of the Granard Board of Guardians, in which complaint was made of the conduct of Dr. King, the medical officer of the Union, who deliberately opened a letter addressed to the Chairman, on a matter in which the doctor was himself concerned, and afterwards hid the letter 310 under a book in the room adjoining the Board-room?
§ THE CHIEF SECRETARY FOR IRELAND (Mr. A. J. BALFOUR, Manchester, E.)I propose to reply to both questions at the same time. A charge of assault of the nature referred to has been made against the medical officer mentioned, and the Local Government Board have decided to hold a sworn inquiry into the matter. With regard to the second charge, it is not one which comes under the jurisdiction of the Local Government Board, and they see no reason why the inquiry should be extended to that charge. The documentary evidence does not appear to be well founded.