§ MR. W. J. CORBETasked the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, If it is true, as recorded in the last Parliamentary Report, that 318 of the persons appointed as governors of district asylums never attended a board meeting during the year 1883; whether these persons consist chiefly of noblemen, deputy lieutenants, and justices of the peace, and are appointed by the Lord Lieutenant under statute; whether the duties devolving on governors include sanctioning the admission of patients, taking contracts, and general fiscal control; and, whether he will devise some system under which so large a number of the governors will not absent themselves from their duties?
§ MR. CAMPBELL-BANNERMANI have not verified the hon. Member's figures; but, assuming them to be correct, it must be borne in mind that these Asylum Boards are very large, and that the object of having them so large is to secure, not that all these gentlemen—who have diversities of pursuits and engagements—should always attend, but that there shall always be a quorum for the transaction of the necessary business. I am not aware of any complaints of failure in this respect; and it is always in the power of the Lord Lieutenant to strengthen any Board when that is deemed necessary.
§ MR. W. J. CORBETCan the Chief Secretary say whether it is not the case that for some years past the annual expenditure has increased from £53,000 621 to £210,000 a-year, and the average cost per head has increased by £6; and, whether he will inquire whether this is due in any way to the neglect of their duties by these gentlemen?
§ MR. CAMPBELL-BANNERMANThat is entirely a matter of argument.