WORKHOUSE INFIRMARIES AND FEVER HOSPITALS IRELAND).

HC Deb 01 June 1897 vol 50 cc21-2

MR. J. L. CAREW (Dublin, College Green)

I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland whether, in consequence of the defective condition of the nursing in Irish workhouse infirmaries and fever hospitals, he will consider the desirability of suggesting to the Local Government Board to appoint at least one or two lady inspectors, professionally qualified as doctors or nurses to inspect the Poor Law fever hospitals and infirmaries, and who would also inspect the state of the women and children, the idiots, lunatics, and infirm?

THE CHIEF SECRETARY FOR IRELAND (Mr. GERALD BALFOUR,) Leeds, Central

The major portion of the duties of an Inspector of the Local Government Board could not be undertaken by a lady inspector. As to the expediency of appointing a lady inspector, the question is not one on which I should be prepared to offer an opinion at present.