§ MR. LEWISasked, Whether there have very recently been eleven governors of the County of Derry Lunatic Asylum appointed by the Lord Lieutenant; whether there were more than two vacancies in the existing number of governors when such appointments were made; whether all such, persons so appointed were of the same political party, and the large majority of them prominent supporters of the Irish Solicitor General in the recent contest for Derry County; and, whether Her Majesty's Government will explain to the House what was the necessity and object of 173 such a large number of persons of one political complexion being appointed at this time?
§ THE SOLICITOR GENERAL FOR IRELAND (Mr. PORTER), in reply, said, it was the fact that 11 Governors of the County of Derry Lunatic Asylum had been recently appointed by the Lord Lieutenant. There was no prescribed number of Governors; but owing to deaths, resignations, and non-attendance, it became necessary to make new appointments. The 11 gentlemen recently appointed were Liberals, and the majority of them supported him (the Solicitor General for Ireland) in the recent election, as they had supported Liberal candidates on former occasions. Their qualifications were unquestionable, and the Board at present consisted of 24 Conservatives and 16 Liberals. There was no emolument connected with the office.
§ MR. LEWISasked, what was the necessity and object of such a large number of persons of one political complexion being appointed at this time?
§ THE SOLICITOR GENERAL FOR IRELAND (Mr. PORTER)thought he had already answered the Question. On account of resignations and non-attendance, it was found necessary to re-inforce the Board. There had previously been much dissatisfaction with the constitution of the Board, which, in a county mainly Liberal, had consisted of 24 Conservatives and 5 Liberals.