HC Deb 05 April 1900 vol 81 cc1267-8
*SIR MANCHERJEE BHOWNAGGREE (Bethnal Green, N.E.)

I beg to ask the President of the Local Government Board whether he received, as long ago as on the 8th October last, from the Bethnal Green Board of Guardians a communication containing evidence taken by a committee of that board tending to show that gratuities had been paid on a large scale to relieving officers by medical officers in respect of the certification of lunatics, as well as by certain metropolitan licensed houses; and whether he has made any inquiries regarding these allegations; and whether, in case of his being satisfied that they are true, he intends taking any steps to prevent a repetition of such practices.

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

The facts are as stated in the question. I have communicated with the Lunacy Commissioners on the subject, and I find that they have cautioned the proprietors of metropolitan licensed houses that wherever the practice of giving relieving officers gratuities of the kind referred to has obtained it must be at once discontinued, and the Commissioners have no reason to doubt that their requirement will be respected. They have also communicated their views to the Wiltshire justices, as one of the licensed houses affected was licensed by those justices. As regards the officers of the guardians, I have directed that an inquiry shall be held by an inspector of the Local Government Board. The inquiry will take place as soon as possible, and on receipt of his Report I shall have to decide what further steps, if any, it will be necessary for me to take in the matter.

*SIR MANCHERJEE BHOWNAG GREE

As arising out of the answer, may I ask the right hon. Gentleman whether, in view of the facts now disclosed as to the practice of paying such Commissions, he will arrange with the Home Secretary to insert adequate provisions in the Lunacy Bill now before the House so as to effectually check the practice in future?

MR. CHAPLIN

Obviously that is a question I cannot answer without first consulting my right hon. friend.