§ MR. P. J. O'BRIEN (Tipperary, N.)I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland whether he is aware that a claim for £30 has been made on the Guardians of Nenagh Union by the Governors of Richmond Hospital, Dublin, for the maintenance and treatment of pauper patients sent from the Nenagh Workhouse to Richmond Hospital in the year 1900, although paupers from this union have been sent to Richmond Hospital for treatment of special cases for upwards of thirty years prior to 1895, without claim for payment by the hospital authorities; whether he is aware that at the said date a bill was furnished the Guardians for maintenance of pauper patients for two years, but which they repudiated on the ground that the hospital, being maintained by Imperial grant, was bound to receive patients free of charge; whether he is aware that since that time the hospital continued to receive the Board's special cases without question till about twelve months ago, when the claim in question was made, which the Governors are now pressing for payment; and, seeing that this hospital is bound by its charter to receive pauper patients free, will he advise them to do so.
§ MR. WYNDHAMThe authorities of this hospital are not aware that patients were maintained prior to 1895 without payment. The Guardians declined to make any payment in November of last year. There is no obligation attaching to the conditions upon which the Parliamentary grant is paid to the hospital that pauper patients shall be maintained gratuitously. I may point out that the expenditure incurred by the Richmond and other hospitals in receipt of public grants, is not covered by such grants.
§ MR. P. J. O'BRIENIs it true that for thirty years prior to 1895 no claim was made by the hospital authorities?
§ MR. WYNDHAMThe hospital authorities contest that statement. Their reply is too lengthy to read out, but I will forward it to the hon. Member.