§ MR. P. A. M'HUGHOn behalf of the hon. Member for North Sligo (Mr. B. COLLERY), I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of 1239 Ireland, whether he is aware that, owing to the crowded state of the Sligo and Leitrim Lunatic Asylum in 1868, the Sligo Board of Guardians, at the request of the Governors, took over and have since maintained 20 harmless lunatics, for which they received no remuneration; and whether the Governors of the Asylum were bound to pay for their maintenance, or whether the Guardians are entitled to receive the capitation grant paid for the past maintenance of lunatics in asylums, particularly as those referred to were originally committed to the Asylum?
§ MR. GERALD BALFOURIt appears to be a fact that, in the year 1868, 20 harmless lunatics were discharged from the Sligo District Asylum and removed to the Union Workhouse. The Governors of the Asylum have no power to pay for the maintenance of these persons in the Workhouse, as no special contract was entered into with them under the provisions of the 9th Section of the 38 and 39 Vic., Cap. 67. On the general question of the payment of a grant in aid of the maintenance of insane persons in Union workhouses, I have already informed the hon. Gentleman that the matter is engaging the consideration of the Government in connection with a Bill which they have in contemplation for facilitating amalgamation of workhouses, and for making better provision for certain classes of the destitute poor in Ireland.