§ MR. CROOKS (Woolwich)I beg to ask the President of the Local Government Board whether, having regard to the request of the various boards of guardians in the Metropolis that a central authority should take over the treatment of poor consumptives at present chargeable to the poor rates, he will issue an Order to the Metropolitan Asylums Board to undertake the care of these consumptive patients.
§ THE PRESIDENT OF THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT BOARD (Mr. WALTER LONG,) Bristol, S.I have received repre- 1358 sentations from some metropolitan boards of guardians in favour of this proposal, and I have communicated with the Metropolitan Asylums Board on the subect. They realise not only its magnitude and importance but also the extension of their duties and responsibilities, and the large increase in their expenditure which it would involve, and they wish for some expression of opinion from my Department before proceeding further. I share their views as to the far-reaching character of the proposal. It is one which requires, very careful consideration, and I am not at present in a position to express a definite opinion with regard to it. It will, however, continue to receive my attention.