§ MR. SALT (Stafford)I beg to ask the President of the Local Government Board whether he will consider how far some general rule can be laid down for the rating of lunatic asylums, in order that an intelligible and uniform system of rating such institutions may be adopted, and the expense and inconvenience of appeals may be avoided.
§ * MR. RITCHIEThe Local Government Board have no authority to prescribe general rules for the rating of lunatic asylums. If the Board were to attempt to lay down general principles, the rules so laid down would in no way be binding either upon the assessment committee or on the asylums to be rated. Moreover, it must be borne in mind that in connection with the assessment of a lunatic asylum the particular circumstances of each case must be considered. Under these circumstances, I do not think that it is desirable that the Board should act upon the suggestion of my hon. Friend.