§ MR. SLOAN (Belfast, S.)To ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether the officials of the Lisburn workhouse, who are implicated in the recent incident, are suspended pending the result of the Local Government Board inquiry; and, if not, for what reason.
(Answered by Mr. Bryce.) The Local Government Board's inspector in charge of Lisburn union recently paid a surprise visit to the workhouse, and, as a result of his inspection, reported to the Local Government Board that both the master and the porter had been seriously neglecting their duties. The inspector's Report was conveyed to the board of guardians, and it was open to them to suspend the officials concerned, but, so far as the Local Government Board are aware, they have not done so. They have, however, asked for a sworn inquiry into the facts, and the Board have acceded to their request. The inquiry will shortly be held. The manner in which the clerk of the union had discharged his duty was also unfavourably commented upon, but the 859 guardians have no power to suspend this officer.