§ MR. LEES KNOWLES (Salford, W.)On behalf of the hon. Member for Down, E. (Mr. J. A. RENTOUL), I beg to ask the President of the Local Government Board whether the Board have recognised the certificate of the Sanitary Institute as a certificate for a sanitary inspector under the Public Health (London) Act, 1891, Section 108 (2) (d); whether any other public health bodies have applied for recognition of their certificates; if so, their names; whether such approval has been given; and, if not, the reasons for refusal; and, whether the Committee appointed by the Local Government Board three years since for drawing up a scheme for establishing one examining Board in England for the examination of sanitary inspectors, did draw up such a scheme; and, if so, when will effect be given to it?
§ MR. T. W. RUSSELLThe Local Government Board have approved, until they otherwise direct, of the Sanitary Institute as a body to grant certificates for the purposes of the section referred to in the Question. The British Institute of Public Health applied for a similar approval, and the Board had reason to 522 believe that application of a like character would be made by other bodies. The application of the British Institute of Public Health was not complied with, as the Board thought it desirable that a joint board should be formed consisting of representatives of various bodies interested in the subject, who should hold examinations and grant certificates for the purposes of the section. A Committee was appointed in 1894 to draw up a scheme for establishing a joint examination board, and they have framed a scheme accordingly. The scheme adopted contemplates that the examination board should be incorporated under the Companies Act, 1862, and application was accordingly made to the Board of Trade. The Board are communicating with the Board of Trade on the subject.