MR. PATRICK O'BRIENOn behalf of the hon. Member for Glasgow, Tradeston, (Mr. A. C. CORBETT), I beg to ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if his attention has been called to the fact that the number 1283 of insane persons under official cognisance in the United Kingdom, Ireland included, have increased from 55,525 in 1862 to 128,896 in 1895, and that the ratio of insane per 1,000 of the population has gone up during the same period from 1.81 to 3.28; and whether, in view of the importance of the subject, he will take steps to convene an International Conference to ascertain what measures can be taken to arrest the spread of the disease?
§ SIR MATTHEW WHITE RIDLEYI am aware of the great increase in the number of insane persons in institutions, and I would remind the hon. Member that on Febuary 28 last year I stated in this House that I should consult with the Lord Chancellor with a view to the attention of the Lunacy Commissioners being specially directed to the question. The Lunacy Commissioners have, I am informed, completed a special report on the subject, which is now in the printer's bands; and until I have had the opportunity of considering that report I should prefer not to reply to the second part of the hon. Member's Question.
§ MR. VESEY KNOX (Londonderry)asked whether the inquiry would include Ireland?
§ SIR MATTHEW WHITE RIDLEYNo, Sir; it will not include Ireland, because there was a special inquiry in the matter in Ireland before.