§ DR. FARQUHARSON (Aberdeenshire, W.)I beg to ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he has received a communication from the Chairman of the Parliamentary Bills Committee of the British Medical Association, submitting to him a statement on behalf of the Committee concerning certain hardships and disadvantages in the present duties, pay, and prospects of the medical officers of prisons; and whether he is able to say that he will take measures to give effect to the suggestions set out in the Memorial submitted?
§ MR. MATTHEWSYes, Sir, a communication of the nature described from the Chairman of the Parliamentary Committee of the British Medical Association has been received. I am well aware of the important and useful services rendered by this branch of prison officers, and any representations coming from them will meet with my most attentive consideration. It must be borne in mind, however, that the pay of the medical officers and assistants was revised and increased so lately as 1883. I do not feel able to say that I can make any recommendation to the Treasury upon the Memorial referred to.
§ DR. FARQUHARSONHas the right hon. Gentleman any objection to lay the correspondence on the Table?
§ MR. MATTHEWSTo what correspondence does the hon. Member refer?
§ DR. FARQUHARSONThat between the Chairman of the Parliamentary Committee and the right hon. Gentleman.
§ MR. MATTHEWSThe Chairman sent me a copy of a printed Report with a letter which I shall be very happy to show the hon. Member with my reply, but I scarcely think the correspondence is of sufficient public interest to lay on the Table.