§ MR. O'SULLIVANasked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury, Whether it is a fact that a capitation grant is paid for every lunatic pauper in Scot- 1473 land; and, whether it is true that in Ireland a similar grant is only paid for paupers who are inmates of lunatic asylums, while for the great bulk of the lunatic poor in Ireland, who are inmates of poorhouses, no grant whatever is paid by the Treasury; and, if so, will the Government take any steps to redress this inequality?
§ MR. COURTNEYNo, Sir; the grant is only made on account of such Scotch pauper lunatics as are under the charge of the Scotch Lunacy Board. But the methods of dealing with them in Scotland differ from those in force in England and Ireland, the bearding-out system being largely favoured in the former country; and the right hon. Gentleman opposite recognized this distinction when he fixed the rules governing the grants in the Three Countries. I can hold out no hope that this grant will be extended; and the hon. Member will probably cease to desire the adoption in Ireland, and in that case in England also, of the Scotch system when he learns that, in the opinion of those best qualified to judge, so far from having relieved the rates, the Imperial grant has led in Scotland to an absolute increase in the local burdens.
§ MR. O'SULLIVANBut is it not the fact that nearly half the number of pauper lunatics in Ireland are in the workhouses, and that no capitation grant is given for them?
§ MR. COURTNEYIt is the same thing in England.
§ MR. O'SULLIVANI know. But it is different in Scotland.