§ DR. KENNY: (Dublin, College Green)I beg to ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, whether the Government have under consideration the desirability of entering into negotiations with Foreign Governments with a view to the appointment of an International Commission to inquire into the great increase in the terrible scourge of lunacy noticed, not only in the United Kingdom, but also in all countries from which statistics are 565 procurable; and, if not, whether he will give the question his serious consideration during the Recess?
§ SIR M. W. RIDLEYThe increase in the number of admissions of lunatic patients into institutions is attributed by the Lunacy Commissioners, in great measure, to causes other than an increase of the disease of insanity in its more serious forms, and in their last Report they point to the continuously increasing proportion of old age admissions as confirming this view. At present, I have no well-digested information with respect to foreign countries, and am not satisfied that anything would be gained by an International Commission. I will, however, consider the matter during the Recess.