§ MR. T. M. HEALY (Louth, N.)I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland if he is aware that Petitions against the Government of Ireland Bill have been signed in the Derry Lunatic Asylum and other lunatic asylums; will he inquire to what extent the male and female superintendents interfered in procuring signatures; where permission was given to parties to introduce the Petitions; to what extent was supervision exercised over them for the purpose of preserving the discipline of the house and the independence of the officials; and whether the Board of Control has power to take notice of and deal with cases of the sort if the facts are proved or admitted?
§ MR. W. JOHNSTON (Belfast, S.)Before the right hou. Gentleman answers that question, may I ask him if he is 901 aware if applications have been sent to Deny Lunatic Asylum to the inmates for signatures to Petitions in favour of the Bill.
§ THE CHIEF SECRETARY FOR IRELAND (Mr. J. MORLEY,) Newcastle-upon-TyneNo, Sir; I am not aware of that. In answer to the question on the Paper, I have to say that no ease has come to the knowledge of the Inspectors of Lunatic Asylums in which Petitions against the Bill have been signed in any of the district lunatic asylums. They are making inquiry as to whether any interference was used in procuring signatures to any such Petitions, and as to whether, and by whom such Petitions were introduced, if they were introduced.
§ MR. T. M. HEALYDocs the right hon. Gentleman deny specifically that they sent Petitions?
§ MR. J. MORLEYI do not know to whom the hon. Member refers.
§ MR. BARTLEY (Islington, N.)Is there any reason why the inmates of these asylums should not sign Petitions in favour of the Homo Rule Bill?
§ [The question was not answered.]