§ House in Committee (according to Order).
§ THE MARQUESS OF SALISBURYsaid, that the object of the measure was to extend to medical officers who had not devoted their whole time to the parish the power of retiring on a pension, with 479 the consent of the guardians, if 60 years of age or infirm. This provision was at present confined to officers who had given their whole time to the parish; but the former were, in general, a far higher class, whom, it was desirable to encourage in taking these offices. Moreover, the poor were injured by the continuance in office of infirm or aged men. In order to prevent corrupt arrangements, and in deference to the objections of his noble Friend (the Duke of Richmond), he would propose an Amendment providing that a medical officer desiring to retire on a pension should satisfy the Poor Law Inspector or some person appointed by the Poor Law Board as to the grounds of his retirement.
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Amendment moved, to insert the following clause:—
No pension shall be obtained by any person under this Act on the ground of permanent infirmity of mind or body unless the Poor Law Inspector of the district, or some person authorized in that behalf by the Poor Law Board, shall have first certified that in his opinion such officer has by reason of such infirmity become incapable of performing the duties of his office with efficiency."—(The Marquess of Salisbury.)
§ THE DUKE OF RICHMONDadmitted that the Amendment of his noble Friend went a long way towards meeting his objections to the Bill. His objection was, that to require the medical officers to devote the whole of their time to the duties of their post was a proposal vicious in principle; and the Amendment did not altogether provide a remedy. He should not, however, offer any further opposition to the Bill.
§ Amendment agreed to.
§ The Report of the Amendment to be received on Thursday next.