§ 58. Mr. EDEasked the Minister of Health if he has caused an independent investigation to be made into the circumstances surrounding the recent death of a patient in the Harton hospital of the South Shields Board of Guardians; if the officer investigating on his behalf had at at his disposal a full transcript of the shorthand notes made at the guardians' inquiry; how many of the witnesses at the guardians' inquiry have left the service of the guardians since giving evidence; if the matter has been before the Board since he first received a complaint; and what action he proposes to take?
§ Mr. GREENWOODI have not yet received a report from the guardians dealing with this matter, and until this report has been received I cannot say whether it will be necessary for me to order an independent investigation. In the event of an inquiry being ordered the full transcript of the shorthand notes made at the 1176 guardians' inquiry can be available for the person holding the inquiry. Two of the witnesses have left the service of the guardians since giving evidence. The matter has not been before the board of guardians since I first received the complaint, as the Board referred the question to the Hospital Committee, who have appointed a Special Committee from their members to inquire and report. This report should come before the Hospital Committee, who will report to the House Committee, which comprises all the members of the board of guardians, to-day, and I hope to receive it without waiting for its formal presentation to the Board.