§ MR. MACEVOYsaid, he wished to ask the Chief Secretary for Ireland, Whether the Government will this Session introduce a Bill to extend to Ireland such provisions of the Act 16 & 17 Vict., c. 97, as will enable magistrates to commit dangerous lunatics direct to asylums instead of to the county gaols, as is now necessary?
§ SIR ROBERT PEELsaid, no doubt considerable inconvenience existed from the present practice. The Government had, however, undertaken the erection of some lunatic asylums; and when they were ready, some alteration would no doubt be made in the existing law.
§ MR. MACEVOYsaid, he would beg to ask the right hon. Baronet if he is not aware, 990 that although there are lunatic asylums at present, the magistrates are compelled to send criminal lunatics in the first place to gaols, He should be glad to know if there is any intention of bringing in a Bill to alter that state of the law?
§ SIR ROBERT PEELsaid, the matter had been under consideration; and when the new lunatic asylums were completed, an alteration in the law would no doubt be made.