HC Deb 14 March 1905 vol 142 cc1390-1
MR. BOLAND

I beg to ask Mr. Attorney-General for Ireland, with reference to the application of the rural district councillors of Kenmare for an inquiry into the death of a fever patient named Cotter, and to the charges made against the Rev. Mr. Duggan for attending the patient, although he was not a qualified medical man, he will state what steps can be taken to prevent such practices in the future; and whether, seeing that the district was rendered liable to an outbreak of fever through the action of a gentleman not medically qualified, he will see that full inquiry is made into the whole circumstances of this case.

MR. ATKINSON

I stated in answer to the hon. Member's previous Question of Thursday last† that upon the information before the Local Government Board, the reverend gentleman had not contravened the law. The Board are not aware that there are any grounds for the statement in the second part of the Question. No cases of fever have been reported recently from this district other than that of the man Cotter.

MR. BOLAND

What steps can be taken to prevent unqualified men in a district treating cases wrongfully, thereby creating danger of the spread of infection?

MR. ATKINSON

None can be taken by the Local Government Board if the law is not broken. † See page 928.

MR. BOLAND

Can the Crown take steps?

MR. ATKINSON

There is no crime alleged in this case.