§ Mr. COOPERasked the President of the Local Government Board whether he is aware that a scaffolder in the employ of the Metropolitan Asylums Board has been discharged owing to his refusal to erect defective scaffolding at the Grove Hospital, Homerton, and for informing a member of the board of the fact; whether there are any regulations to be followed when erecting scaffolding; and whether he has any power to deal with this matter?
§ Mr. BURNSI have made inquiry and am informed that the case referred to is supposed to be that of a scaffolder recently employed at the Eastern Hospital at Homerton. This man, I understand, was not discharged for refusing to erect defective scaffolding or for informing a member of the Metropolitan Asylums Board of the fact, but for absenting himself from work without permission and without adequate explanation. The managers have made no regulations as to the erection of scaffolding; but I am informed that each particular scaffolding is so designed as to meet the weight it will be called upon to bear.