HC Deb 28 February 1896 vol 37 cc1373-4
Mr. HOBHOUSE

I beg to ask the President of the Local Government Board, if he is aware that in the nine years, 1885–1893, the number of lunatics in England and Wales increased by 26 per cent.; what has been the increase in the last two years; whether there has been a similar increase in Scotland and Ireland; to what causes this rapid increase is due; and, if this is not known, if he will consider the desirability of having some inquiry into such a serious state of facts?

THE SECRETARY OF STATE FOR THE HOME DEPARTMENT (Sir MATTHEW WHITE RIDLEY,) Lancashire, Blackpool

The increase in the number of lunatics in England and Wales, during the years 1885–93, was 15.5 per cent. and not 26 per cent., as stated by the hon. Member. The increase in Ireland, during the same period, was 21.8 per cent. The increase in England and Wales, during 1893 and 1894, was 2.5 and 2.3 per cent.; in Ireland, during 1894 and 1895 together, it was 5.7 per cent. I am not in possession of the figures for Scotland. The question of the causes to which this increase is due has, as the hon. Member will see on referring to the reports which were presented to Parliament last year, engaged the attention of the Lunacy Boards of all three countries. In regard to Ireland, a special inquiry into the subject was made in 1894, the Report of which was presented to Parliament in the same year. I will consult with the Lord Chancellor with a view to the attention of the Lunacy Commissioners being more closely directed to the question.

MR. T. LOUGH (Islington, W.)

asked if it was not a fact that the Lunacy Commissioners attributed the increase in lunacy to the severe agricultural depression which had existed?

SIR MATTHEW WHITE RIDLEY

said, he was not aware that that was so, and he did not think it so appeared in their report.

MR. PATRICK O'BRIEN (Kilkenny)

asked whether the Commissioners attributed the increase in Ireland partly to the excessive use of tea, and that, though that was the case, they went on supplying tea in all the asylums?

SIR MATTHEW WHITE RIDLEY

said, he believed it was true that the Lunacy Commissioners in Ireland had mentioned the cause to which the hon. Gentleman had referred as one of the reasons for the increase.