§ MR. J. DEVLINI beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether his attention has been called to the Report of the Local Government Board inspector, Mr. Agnew, on the Belfast Workhouse, and particularly to the inspector's references to the unsatisfactory nature of the nursing and medical arrangements; and whether any explanation has been forthcoming from the guardians with regard to these matters.
§ MR. BIRRELLThe Report in question points out that the number of charge nurses employed in the Belfast Infirmary is too small in proportion to the number of probationers, and that in the auxiliary workhouse for consumptives the medical arrangements cannot be considered satisfactory. There are 1,600 beds in the infirmary, and about 180 nurses; and, apart from the matters mentioned, the inspector's comments upon the nursing and medical arrangements are most favourable. The guardians have adjourned the consideration of the Report in order that it may be printed and circulated among them.
CAPTAIN CRAIGIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that Belfast Workhouse has always been considered to be a model institution of its kind and its condition always looked upon as most satisfactory?
§ [No Answer was returned.]