HC Deb 19 May 1890 vol 344 cc1259-60
MR. FLYNN

I beg to ask whether the hon. Gentleman is aware that, on the right last occasion for nomination of Governors to the District Lunatic Asylum, the Dublin Corporation sent forward to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland the names of 10 of their members, and that the Lord Lieutenant appointed all the gentlemen so named; and, if so, why was a different course adopted by His Excellency in the case of the Cork Corporation; also whether ho is aware that the Cork Corporation recently sent forward to the Lord Lieutenant the names of four members of their body (including a Mayor and ex-Mayor of the city) as fit representatives on the Board of Governors of the Lunatic Asylum; and is it a fact that the Lord Lieutenant refused to appoint any one of the four gentlemen named; and, if so, what was the reason for such refusal, and on what principle of selection or nomination does the Lord Lieutenant act in regard to this matter?

MR. A. J. BALFOUR

The facts are as stated in both questions. The principle acted upon is to promote local representation, so far as this is consistent with the duty thrown on the Lord Lieutenant by Statute of selecting fit and proper persons to servo on the Asylum Board. This principle was not inconsistent with the selection made in the case of Dublin; it would, in the opinion of the Lord Lieutenant, have been inconsistent with the selection of the names sent up in the case of Cork.

DR. TANNER

Is it not the fact that of recent years the authorities of Dublin Castle have invariably chosen from the list presented by the Corporation of Cork either Conservatives or Liberal Unionists to act as Governors of the Asylum?

MR. A. J. BALFOUR

I cannot answer that question.

MR. SEXTON

Does the right hon. Gentleman say that none of the persons nominated by the Corporation of Cork are fit to be appointed?

MR. A. J. BALFOUR

I cannot enter into any invidious discussion as to the merits of these gentlemen.

MR. SEXTON

Would not the Lord Lieutenant ease the situation if he were to appoint any of them?

MR. A. J. BALFOUR

That is a very different proposition from that of accepting the whole number.

MR. T. M. HEALY

Why is it that Conservatives know more about lunacy than the Nationalists?

*MR. FLYNN

I may say that among the names sent in by the Corporation of Cork there were those of the present Mayor of that City and the ex-Mayor.