§ MR. FIELDTo ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether he will arrange that the Local Government Board of Ireland shall give to Irish boards of guardians the same discretionary power regarding tenders for chemical and medical supplies as are exercised by English boards of guardians.
(Answered by Mr. Bryce.) In Ireland one-half of the cost of medicines and 346 appliances is borne by the Local Taxation Account, and a statutory duty is imposed upon the Local Government Board of seeing that no undue charge is placed on this account. It is the opinion of the Local Government Board that they could not, consistently with their duty, allow boards of guardians to accept without good reason a tender other than the lowest for the supply of these medicines and appliances. It is understood that in England medical officers have generally to provide the drugs under the terms of their appointment.