§ 36. Mr. MOONEYasked the Chief Secretary for Ireland what practical knowledge and experience the medical inspectors of the Local Government Board of Ireland possess regarding the erection, equipping, and administration of sanatoria and tuberculosis dispensaries; in what recognised sanatoria and tuberculosis dispensaries in Great Britain or on the Continent did they acquire their experience; whether, in view of the fact that the Local Government Board require a six months' special course for medical superintendents of sanatoria and tuberculosis medical officers, he can state whether the medical inspectors of the Local Government Board have had a similar training; and, if not, whether the Local Government Board will afford their medical inspectors an early opportunity of obtaining such training?
§ Mr. BIRRELLThe medical inspectors of the Local Government Board have been closely associated with the erection and administration of sanatoria established by public bodies in Ireland, such as Heatherside Sanatorium in county Cork, Crooksling Sanatorium to county Dublin, and the Abbey Sanatorium near Belfast. They have by personal inspection become familiar with the construction, arrangements, and methods of management adopted in other sanatoria and tuberculosis dispensaries in Ireland, as well as in similar institutions in England and Scotland. There is no necessity for the medical inspectors to undergo the special course of instruction referred to by the hon. Member seeing that they are not, in the discharge of their duties, called upon to engage in the diagnosis and treatment of tuberculosis.
§ Mr. MOONEYWhy do the Local Government Board require more efficiency in these superintendents than in their own inspectors?
§ Mr. BIRRELLIt depends on the nature of the duty. It is one thing to consider the construction and arrangement of a sanatorium and another thing to deal with this disease.
§ Mr. MOONEYWas this regulation made by the right hon. Gentleman himself or by the Vice-President of the Department?
§ Mr. BIRRELLIt was made by my consent. It was submitted to me and, I believe, bears some traces of my pen upon it.