§ MR. M McCARTANI beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, (1) whether his attention has been called to the state of affairs in connection with the admission and treatment of inmates in workhouses in Ireland; (2) whether he is aware that harmless epileptics are sent to the wards for lunatics; that lunatics are sent to the lunatic wards without cither committal order or legal warrant of any kind; and 696 that lunatics are detained and often put under restraint in workhouses in direct violation of the law; and, (3) whether he will consider the desirability of having a Royal Commission appointed to inquire generally into the working of the Poor Law system in Ireland, and particularly as to the admission and treatment of the different classes of inmates of workhouses?
§ MR. GERALD BALFOURThe subject of the admission and treatment of inmates in workhouses in Ireland engaged my careful attention during the Recess, in connection with the general question of workhouse administration in Ireland. It is true that in some workhouses harmless epileptics are sent to the lunatic wards, and the Local Government Board often pointed out to the Guardians that this is not a desirable arrangement. It has been frequently explained, in answer to questions in the House, that destitute persons of unsound mind are sent to Irish workhouses without either legal warrant or committal, and if unable to take care of themselves they are detained and not allowed to take their discharge. Restraint is only employed in workhouses as in all civil hospitals by order of the responsible medical officer, who directs that it shall be imposed when he deems it necessary for the safety of the patient or those about him. The Local Government Board have, however, always advised Guardians that when a lunatic in a workhouse is so violent as to require restraint, the Guardians should endeavour to have him or her committed to the asylum. An Inquiry of the nature indicated in the third paragraph has already been held in 1878, and a somewhat similar Inquiry was conducted by a Special Commission in Lunacy in 1889. I do not consider it necessary to have further Inquiry made at the present time, but I may add that the Government have under consideration the introduction of a Bill for facilitating amalgamation of workhouses and for making better provision for certain classes of the destitute poor in Ireland.
DR. KENNYasked, if the right hon. Gentleman was aware that not only were lunatics admitted from outside, but that they were often transferred uncured from lunatic asylums to workhouses?
§ MR. GERALD BALFOURwas aware there was a considerable amount of friction between the asylums and workhouses in Ireland, but if the hon. Member wanted further information on that matter he would perhaps put a question on the Paper.