§ MR. MACCAW (Down, W.):I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether his attention has been called to the circumstances attending the death of nine inmates of The Mount St. Vincent Orphanage, at Limerick, and the illness of forty-four others, as the result of eating meat which had been kept five days in the institution before being cooked; whether this orphanage receives any grant from public funds; whether it is inspected on behalf of any public authority; and whether it is intended to take any action with a view to safeguard the health and lives of the inmates of this and similar institutions.
§ MR. BIRRELLMy attention has been called to this case. The institution is an industrial school and as such receives a capitation grant from the State and is subject to Government inspection. It also receives contributions from county and borough funds. It has always been regarded as one of the best female industrial schools in Ireland. This unfortunate occurrence was a misadventure which might have happened any where and is deeply regretted by the managers of the school.
§ MR. JOYCE (Limerick)Did not the medical gentleman who gave evidence at the inquest pay a high tribute to the manner in which this school is conducted?
§ MR. BIRRELLNo doubt.
§ MR. SWIFT MACNEILLIS it in consonance with the practice of this House to make a great public calamity the vehicle for personal political attack?
§ * MR. SPEAKERI deprecate it, but it has often occurred before.
§ MR. SWIFT MACNEILLNot on our side. It is a question of taste.