§ MR. C. J. ENGLEDOW (Kildare, N.)I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland whether he will state what legal authority the governors of the County Carlow Infirmary have for admitting into that institution for medical care and treatment inhabitants of the neighbouring counties, and thus impose a largely increased expenditure on the ratepayers of county Carlow?
§ MR. GERALD BALFOURThe governors of the Infirmary are aware of no legal authority for or against the admission to the Infirmary of patients from adjoining counties. As the hon. Member is aware, the Infirmary is situated on the borders of three counties, and I do not know whether he wishes to suggest that the responsible authorities in charge of the institution would be justified, legally or morally, in refusing to admit a dying patient, simply because 133 he resided outside the county Carlow though within half a mile of the Infirmary. As a matter of fact very few cases from neighbouring counties have been admitted, and all those who have been admitted were either patients who paid for their maintenance and thus cost the Carlow ratepayers nothing, or cases of urgency where danger to life would be incurred by refusing admission.
§ MR. ENGLEDOWI beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland (1) whether he is aware that the main portion of the supplies required for the County Carlow Infirmary were not procured by public tender at contract prices; that the matron procured what she thought necessary where and at what price she thought proper; that these goods were received into the institution by her; that she certified the account, as correct; and that such accounts have been regularly paid by the governors out of the public funds without being checked or examined by any other person; and (2) whether, under these circumstances, he will cause inquiry to be made into the administration of this institution?
§ MR. GERALD BALFOURI am informed that the facts are not generally as stated in the Question. Tenders are invited for the main portion of the supplies, but in the case of minor supplies, which are not contracted for, the matron procures such as she considers necessary and certifies for the small expenditure, which is submitted to the Board of Governors. As to the second paragraph, I have nothing to add to my reply to the hon. Member's previous Question of the 21st May on the same subject.