MR. CATHCART WASONI beg to ask the Secretary for Scotland whether his attention has been directed to the fact that the Scottish Local Government Board reported recently that it would be to the advantage of the public service that parish councils should grant an adequate holiday to their medical officers, defraying at the same time the cost of a substitute to act for the doctor during his absence; if the Local Government Board have circularised parish councils to that effect; and whether, in view of the poverty of certain districts and burden of local rates rising to over 20s. in the pound, he will take all the circumstances into his earnest consideration.
§ MR. SINCLAIROn July 25th, 1900, the Local Government Board issued a circular on this subject generally favourable to the arrangement indicated. The whole question of rating is engaging my earnest consideration.