HC Deb 01 March 1894 vol 21 cc1141-2
COLONEL LOCKWOOD (Essex, Epping)

I beg to ask the President of the Local Government Board if it is true that; the Walthamstow Local Board have acquired a site for a fever hospital in the adjoining parish of Chingford, and that the purchase has been sanctioned by the Local Government Board, although there are available sites within the Walthamstow area; and if he is aware that the inhabitants of Chingford were never consulted as to the purchase of this site, and that no opportunity has been afforded them of lodging an objection, the Local Government Board having refused to receive a deputation from Chingford on the matter?

MR. H. H. FOWLER

It is the case that the Local Government Board have sanctioned a loan to enable the Walthamstow Local Board to purchase a site for a fever hospital at Chingford; but I have no information to show that there were available sites within the district of the Local Board. A local inquiry was held by one of the Inspectors of the Local Government Board before the loan was sanctioned, and all persons interested were at liberty to attend and be hoard at the inquiry. No application as to the attendance of a deputation from Chingford on this subject was received by the Local Government Board until after the loan had been sanctioned. So far as the Board were concerned, the matter was then at an end.

COLONEL LOCKWOOD

I may state that my constituents had no knowledge of the inquiry referred to being held, and were therefore unable to be represented at it. Are they, under these circumstances, to have no chance of being heard at all?

MR. H. H. FOWLER

Full notice by advertisement was given of the inquiry, and I can therefore hardly understand how they could be in total ignorance. My experience is, that such notices usually bring large numbers of persons to the inquiries.

COLONEL LOCKWOOD

It would be hard if, under the circumstances, my constituents were debarred from being heard on the question by the Local Government Board.

MR. H. H. FOWLER

Of course, I desire that all persons interested shall be hoard on the matter. I will ask the hon. Member to put down the question again, and in the meantime will make special inquiry.