HC Deb 13 July 1909 vol 7 cc1857-8
Mr. SUMMERBELL

asked the President of the Local Government Board if he is yet in a position to report as to the nature of the findings of the Poplar Board of Guardians as to the death of Diana Green in the workhouse, and in regard to whose death the coroner's jury declared it had been occasioned by shock due to fractured ribs and other injuries?

Mr. COCHRANE

also asked the President of the Local Government Board whether he has now received a report of the inquiry regarding the circumstances attending the death of Diana Green, who was found dead under a bed in Poplar Workhouse, with four ribs and one arm broken, on 18th of June; and whether he can communicate the results of that inquiry?

The PRESIDENT of the LOCAL GOVERNMENT BOARD (Mr. Burns)

I have received from the guardians a copy of the report made to them by the visiting committee after their investigation of the case referred to in the questions. The committee appear to have taken all the evidence available, but unfortunately the medical officer of the workhouse is seriously ill, and hence they were unable to examine him. They report that they have given very careful consideration to the depositions at the inquest, the report of the master of the workhouse, and the statements of the officers and inmates examined by them, but that they have been unable to elicit any material facts in addition to those contained in the depositions and the master's report. They are of opinion that, until the medical officer is in a condition to be further examined, it will not be possible to come to any definite conclusion as to the cause of the injuries to the deceased. I have requested to be in-formed when the medical officer has suffi- ciently recovered to give evidence, and have promised, in compliance with a request to that effect, that the Local Government Board's senior medical inspector for Poor Law purposes shall assist at any further investigation then held.

Mr. SUMMERBELL

Will the right hon. Gentleman kindly give us the report when the medical officer makes it?

Mr. BURNS

When the medical officer has attended this investigation and made a report, that will be made public.