§ Mr. WILLIAM BOYLEasked the President of the Local Government Board if he is aware that the action of the Board in compelling the master of the Mitford and Launditch union to resign has occasioned dissatisfaction locally; if the guardians have unanimously protested against the action of the Board; and if, considering that the master's offence consisted in carrying out specific resolutions of the guardians, and that he has had a number of years' service, he will comply with the request of the guardians for a public inquiry into the whole matter?
§ Mr. BURNSI am aware of the facts indicated in the earlier part of the Member's question. I may observe that, since I called upon the master to resign, his wife, the matron, resigned owing to ill-health, and her resignation automatically brought her husband's office as master to a close on 30th June. I have already informed the guardians that the case is not one that calls for further inquiry as suggested.
§ Mr. INGLEBYHave not several unions in Norfolk protested against what they consider the high-handed action of the right hon. Gentleman in dismissing the master and practically ignoring the guardians of this particular union?
§ Mr. BURNSThat may be so, but when the whole circumstances of the case and the reasons for the master's dismissal and his wife's resignation are brought before the House and the public I am sure the House of Commons will side with the Local Government Board rather than with the guardians or the master.
§ Mr. INGLEBYShall we have an opportunity of discussing this?