HC Deb 13 July 1899 vol 74 cc702-3
SIR CHARLES CAMERON

I beg to ask the Lord Advocate whether the attention of the Scottish Local Government Board has been called to the change of practice recently introduced in Glasgow in dealing with cases of debility and injury brought to the police offices and subsequently removed to the parochial hospital, whereby pauper patients are removed to that hospital without any certificate from the parochial medical officer of their fitness for removal; whether the criminal authorities have sanctioned the inspection of the private police books by the parochial officers; whether the removal of a moribund person on the data contained in these books, and without certificate from the parochial medical officer, would be held to satisfy the requirements of the Poor Law Act; and on whom, in case of mishap occurring in connection with a removal so conducted, would legal responsibility rest.

* MR. A. GRAHAM MURRAY

The answer to the first paragraph of the hon. Member's question is in the negative. From inquiries made by myself through other channels, I find that some changes have been recently made in Glasgow in connection with removal. In the meantime, I have communicated with the Local Government Board in order that inquiries may be made; and if the hon. Member will repeat his question after an adequate interval, I shall be happy to reply on the subject.