DR. KENNYI beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland whether he is aware that the Royal Commission on the Queen's Colleges, which sat in Galway in 1884, reported that it was only by the utilisation of all the hospitals in Galway City, including the Galway Hospital and the union and fever hospitals, that medical students in the Galway College could receive even the minimum of the necessary clinical instruction for their course, and that the Galway Queen's College authorities, in their College Calendar for 1892–3, offer to students entering their medical school all the clinical facilities referred to above; whether he is also aware that, notwithstanding the Senate of the Royal University of Ireland has recently recognised the "Galway Hospital," au institution containing only 20 beds in constant occupation, instead of 60 as required by the 389 regulations, as sufficient for the clinical instruction of medical students attending the Queen's College, Galway, who were induced to join the medical school of that College on the understanding that they would enjoy the clinical instruction of all the Galway hospitals; and whether, since the new regulations will have the effect of depriving them of clinical instruction in fever cases, and of their certificates for having attended the same, the Government propose to take any steps in the matter?
MR. J. MORLEYIn reply to the first paragraph of the question, the President, Queen's College, Galway, reports that the Commission of 1884 did refer to the then existing Galway hospitals as unsatisfactory for clinical instruction, but the Galway Hospital mentioned in this portion of the quest ion did not then exist, having been founded by Act of Parliament, June 27, 1892. The statement in paragraph 2 is described as incorrect; the notification in the calendar was drawn up by the medical officers of the union and fever hospitals over which the college has no control, and the college disclaims all responsibility for the statements of these gentlemen. As regards paragraph 3, I understand the Senate of the Royal University has recognised the Galway Hospital with the approval of the Lord Lieutenant. The hospital is reported to the President by the medical faculty as fulfilling in every particular the requirements set forth in the regulations of the Royal University; but representations having been made as to the number of beds available inquiries were instituted, and the entire question will be again before the Standing Committee at its meeting next week. The college has made no new "regulations," but regrets the exclusion up to this date of medical students by the senior medical officer of the Galway Fever Hospital.
DR. KENNYThe right hon. Gentleman states that the Galway Hospital was not ill existence up to 1892. That is quite correct as to the name, but the institution existed as the Galway Infirmary. The right hon. Gentleman has not answered that portion of the question dealing with the number of beds in constant occupation. May I also ask whether—
§ MR. SPEAKERThe hon. Gentleman will have another opportunity of putting his questions.
§ COLONEL NOLAN (Galway, N.)May I ask whether, if the number of these beds is going to be increased at the expense of the county, the right hon. Gentleman will consider the propriety of making a contribution from Government Funds towards their maintenance?
§ [No reply was given.]