§ 43. Mr. LAWSONasked the Minister of Health whether he has now completed his investigations in respect to the child, Mary Race, who died in the isolation hospital, Chester-le-Street, on 24th March, in view of the doctor's report that the child was emaciated and debilitated, and had not the resisting strength of a child of its years when it entered the hospital; and whether his investigations have established any connection between 1895 the condition of this child and the fact that only £1 a week was granted to the six members of the Race family by the appointed guardians of Chester-le-Street?
Mr. CHAMBERLAINMy present information does not support the suggestion made in the last part of the question, but my enquiries are not yet complete.
§ Mr. LAWSONWhen will the right hon. Gentleman be able to give me an answer? It is a fortnight since I called attention to the matter.
Mr. CHAMBERLAINYes, that is so, and I am trying to get complete information, and, as soon as I get it, I shall be able to answer the hon. Member's question.
§ Mr. LAWSONHas the right hon. Gentleman an independent investigator there, apart from the appointed guardians?
§ Mr. LAWSONDoes that mean through a member of his own Department or through the appointed guardians?
§ Mr. HANNONCould not this matter be dealt with between the hon. Member and the Minister, without wasting the time of the House?
§ Mr. SPEAKERThat is not a proper question.
§ Mr. LAWSONIs the hon. Member for the Moseley Division (Mr. Hannon) aware that there is involved in this question, on the statement of a doctor, a charge of starving a child by the appointed guardians?
§ Mr. MONTAGUEDoes the right hon. Gentleman really think that there is need for an inquiry into this case? Does anybody consider that it is possible for six people to be kept on £1 a week and the rent to be paid out of it? Is there need for an inquiry?
§ Mr. SPEAKERThe Minister has already stated that he is making an inquiry.