§ Mr. J. P. FARRELL (Cavan, W.)I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, whether His Excellency has received a copy of a resolution unanimously passed by the Mullingar Asylum Board, at a large meeting of governors on 4th April 1895, asking him to appoint Most Rev. Joseph Hoare, Bishop of Ardagh, a governor of the asylum, vice Most Rev. Dr. Woodlock, resigned; and, if so, why it is that His Excellency has refused to make the appointment; and will he now reconsider his decision and make the appointment; and, if not, will he explain on what grounds.
THE CHIEF SECRETARY FOR IRELAND, Mr. GERALD BALFOUR,) Leeds, CentralThe resolution referred to was received by the late Lord Lieutenant, who undertook, in the event of a vacancy among the County Longford representatives on the Mullingar District Lunatic Asylum Board, that the recommendation made on behalf of the Most Rev. Bishop Hoare would have careful consideration. The present Lord Lieutenant will be happy to favourably consider the case when the opportunity indicated arises.
§ Mr. J. P. FARRELL,asked whether the opportunity for the appointment was not at the commencement of the year when the Board was reconstituted.
§ Mr. GERALD BALFOURreplied that that was not sufficient ground for removing a gentleman who occupied the position which the hon. Member wished to see occupied by the Bishop.
§ Mr. J. P. FARRELLasked whether he was to understand that the Lord Lieutenant had decided not to appoint the Most Rev. Dr. Hoare to the Board of Asylum.
§ Mr. GERALD BALFOURNo, Sir, that would be very incorrect.
§ Mr. J. P. FARRELLintimated that he would call attention to the matter on a future occasion.