§ Mr. WHITTYasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he has received representations against the recent Medical and Dentists Registration Amending Ordinance (No. 3, of 1917) (Grenada); and whether, in view of the strength of local feeling against the proposed statute, it is his intention to submit the Bill for His Majesty's gracious assent without further reconsideration and reference?
§ Mr. LONGI have received inquiries from individuals in regard to the Ordinance, and I have deferred consideration of it in order to enable them to make representations, but none have been received. The provisions of the Ordinance will, however, be given careful consideration before any advice is tendered to His Majesty with regard to it.
§ Mr. WHITTYasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether his attention has been called to the allegations of mismanagement and faulty administration of the Colony Hospital in the island of Grenada, British West Indies; whether he is aware that the demands of the local community for an impartial and independent Commission of inquiry into the j state of affairs in this hospital has been refused by the governor; will he say what 1622W steps he proposes to take under the circumstances; and whether, in the best interests of the Colony, he will consider the desirability of sending out a medical Commissioner to investigate and report not only on this particular institution but on the general medical service in the West Indies?
§ Mr. LONGI am aware of the allegations to which the hon. Member refers. The matter was discussed in the Legislative Council of the Colony in March last, when the Governor declined to appoint a. commission of inquiry as he was satisfied that he was in a position to deal with the question. In the debate the Governor indicated the measures which he proposed to take, and no action on my part appears, to be necessary. I see no reason for adopting the suggestion in the last part of the-question; and, in any case, the present time would be inopportune.
§ Mr. WHITTYasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether his attention has been called to the state of the medical service in the island of Grenada,. British West Indies; whether he is aware that the post of resident surgeon to the-Colony hospital in that Crown Colony has now been vacant for a long time; and whether this and other medical appointments, considering the urgency of the matter, will be made as soon as possible?
§ Mr. LONGThe answer to the first and second parts of the question is in the affirmative. As regards the third part the hon. Member may rest assured that every effort is being made to fill the vacancies to which he refers, but he will no doubt appreciate the difficulty of finding suitable candidates for medical, appointments in present circumstances.