HC Deb 05 April 1898 vol 56 cc194-5
LORD EDMUND FITZMAURICE (Wilts, Cricklade)

I beg to ask the President of the Local Government Board if he is prepared to give effect to the recommendations of the Committee appointed by the Local Government Board in 1892 to frame a scheme for a conjoint board of examination for sanitary inspectors for the purpose set out in the Public Health Act, 1891, s. 108 (2) (d); whether the Sanitary Institute has, with the approval of the Local Government Board, enjoyed a monopoly of the privilege of such examination since the aforesaid Act was passed; and whether other bodies have applied for recognition of their examination for this purpose; and, if so, the reasons why a similar recognition to that accorded to the Sanitary Institute has not been given in their case?

THE PRESIDENT OF THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT BOARD (Mr. H. CHAPLIN,) Lincolnshire, Sleaford

The Sanitary Institute is the only body that has as yet been authorised under the Act in question. Their application was received before that of any other association. Subsequently, applications were made by other bodies, and no authorisation has yet been given in those cases in consequence of the desire of the Local Government Board to secure the constitution of one joint board of examination, to include representatives of the Sanitary Institute and the other associations referred to. A Committee consisting of representatives of the different bodies was appointed, on the recommendation of the Board, to consider a scheme for this purpose. The Board had hoped that, as the result of conferences, difficulties which had arisen would be met, but as yet, I regret to say, this has not been the case. If these difficulties are not removed without delay, it will be necessary for me to take further action at once.