HC Deb 17 June 1862 vol 167 cc673-5

Order for Committee read.

House in Committee.

Clause 1, agreed to.

Clause 2 (Board of Lunacy continued for two years).

THE LORD ADVOCATE

moved the insertion of words embracing the provisions of the Act in respect to the appointment of Deputy Commissioners.

Clause agreed to.

Clause 3 (Board to Licence Lunatic wards of Poor-houses).

MR. ELLICE (St. Andrews)

said, that some of the northern counties had heavily assessed themselves to build asylums, in which the lunatics were well looked after, the harmless and incurable being allowed to reside with their friends. He should therefore move as an Amendment, excepting from the operation of the clause the counties of Inverness, Nairn, Ross, and Sutherland.

MR. E. P. BOUVERIE

said, that asy- lums were sometimes choked up with incurable cases; and if the means of removing those who were harmless existed, there would be an opportunity of taking in new cases. It was well understood, that if cures were effected in cases of lunacy, they were generally brought about within the first twelve months.

Amendment, by leave, withdrawn.

Clause agreed to.

Clauses 4 and 5 agreed to.

Clause 6 (Powers of District Board, if they fail to provide Accommodation, may be exercised by Person appointed by Court of Session).

MR. BLACKBURN

said, he objected to the power being given to the Commissioners. It was quite a new principle, and had come upon the Scotch Members by surprise, for at their meeting on the previous day, they were told that the measure would be merely a continuance Bill, whereas the clause was entirely new. It was, he thought, unfair to override all the counties by the clause because a few of them had neglected their duty.

THE LORD ADVOCATE

said, the clause contained the most important provision in the Bill. The Bill was an Amendment of the Lunacy Act—and not a continuance Act—in any other sense than it continued the existing Board.

SIR DAVID DUNDAS

said, that when the district board refused to build asylums, there was no means of compelling them to provide the requisite accommodation. The clause would give the desired power, and he should support it.

SIR ANDREW AGNEW

said, he hoped the hon. Member for Stirling county (Mr. Blackburn) would persevere with his objection.

MR. MURE

suggested, that the provision enabling the Secretary of State to exercise the powers given him by the clause should be qualified by the insertion of the words "unless cause be shown to the contrary."

THE LORD ADVOCATE

said, he did not object to the Amendment.

MR. BLACKBURN

said, he should press his objection to a division.

Question put, "That the Clause, as amended, stand part of the Bill."

The Committee divided: — Ayes 57; Noes 9: Majority 48.

Clause agreed to.

Remaining Clauses, with the exception of Clauses 12 and 22, agreed to.

MR. CRUM-EWING

moved the addition of the following clause:— It shall be lawful for the Board to grant licences to any charitable institution established for the care and training of imbecile children, and supported in whole or in part by private subscription, without exacting any licence fee therefore, and such licence may be in name of the superintendent of such institution for the time being.

Clause agreed to.

SIR MICHAEL SHAW STEWART

moved the insertion of the following clause:— With the sanction of the Board, agreements and arrangements may be made for the reception and detention of all or any of the pauper lunatics of any district, county, or parish in any public, private, district, or parochial asylum or hospital within or beyond the limits of such district, county, or parish.

Clause agreed to.

MR. MURE

said, he wished to move the insertion of a clause for allowing persons to enter asylums voluntarily.

COLONEL SYKES

How can a madman enter an asylum voluntary?

Clause agreed to.

House resumed.

Bill reported; as amended, to be considered To-morrow.