§ SIR S. NORTHCOTE (Exeter)I beg to ask the President of the Local Government Board if he will lay upon the Table of the House the Reports of the recent inquiries into the administration of the Newton Abbot Workhouse; whether Dr. Fuller, a gentleman who assisted at the recent inquiries, advised that the new nurse should be fully certificated; is he aware that the nurse who has been elected does not possess a midwifery certificate; that a considerable number of the Newton Abbot Workhouse Guardians protested against the legality of the nurse's election; and that the new master of the workhouse has been connected as an official with the workhouse during the time when its administration has necessitated the intervention of the Local Government Board; and if, under these circumstances, the Local Government Board can take any steps to set aside these appointments?
§ THE PRESIDENT OF THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT BOARD (Mr. SHAW-LEFEVRE,) Bradford, CentralThe Local Government Board have recently received the Report on the further inquiry which has been held by two of their Inspectors with respect to the administration of the Newton Abbot Workhouse, and the Report is now receiving the consideration of the Board. Dr. Fuller, one of the Board's Inspectors, recommended that the Guardians in appointing a nurse should obtain the services of one who is 1622 fully certificated. The Board have been informed by the Guardians of the appointments which have been made by them to the offices of master and nurse. The master, who resigned, has been re-elected; but his appointment will be considered by the Board in connection with the recent administration of the workhouse before it is approved of. The question of the fitness of the person who has been elected nurse will also be considered before the Board concur in the appointment. The Reports which are made to the Board by their Inspectors are confidential communications, and I am not prepared, therefore, to lay them upon the Table of the House.