MR. FIELDI beg to ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether the Government have had under consideration the advisability of abolishing private lunatic asylums; and whether, in the meantime, a more efficient system of inspection and reporting will be introduced?
§ THE SECRETARY OF STATE FOR THE HOME DEPARTMENTI am afraid I have nothing to add to the answers which I have given the honourable Member on this subject in previous Sessions. The question has not been specially under the consideration of the Government, and it is not proposed to make any change in the system of inspection. The Lunacy Bill, however, now before Parliament, would give the Secretary of State and the Commissioners increased powers over hospitals in regard to regulations and their general management.
MR. FIELDCannot the Government take advantage of the opportunity afforded by the Lunacy Bill to make a reform in the direction I have indicated?
§ THE SECRETARY OF STATE FOR THE HOME DEPARTMENTI do not quite gather what the honourable Member means, but if he will be good enough to look at the Government Bill now 170 before Parliament, and communicate with me, I shall be happy to give him information on any point.