§ MR. H. HOBHOUSE (Somerset, E.)I beg to ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he has now communicated further with the Lunacy Commissioners, and if he is now prepared to make a further statement as to the causes of the recent great increase of lunacy and the operation of the 4s. grant, or to institute an Inquiry into the subject?
§ *SIR MATTHEW WHITE RIDLEYI have had no direct communication recently with the Lunacy Commissioners on this subject, but I have suggested to the Lord Chancellor under whose jurisdiction they are, that, in view of the interest that is being taken in the question, it might be desirable to follow the precedent set by the Irish Government, and direct the Commissioners or some of them to make special inquiries as to the causes of the increase of lunacy, and embody their conclusions in the next annual report, or in a special Paper to be laid on the Table of the House.