MR. O'KEEFFE (Limerick)I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland if his attention has been called to a resolution adopted by the Board of the Limerick District Asylum pointing out the state of the law as regards the admission of lunatics in 412 Ireland; and, seeing that after the magistrates, in conjunction with the medical officer called to examine insane patients, make the order for committal to an asylum, there is no power to compel the friends or relations of such patients to pay for their maintenance, even if they are able to afford it, whether power could be given to the authorities of asylums in Ireland to compel payment for patients so committed on ascertaining that the persons responsible for their support are in a position to do so.
§ MR. G. W. BALFOURNo such resolution, I am informed, has been passed by the Board of the Limerick District Asylum. I may observe, however, that the power to compel friends or relatives of patients committed as dangerous lunatics, under the tenth section of the Act 30 and 31 Vict. c. 118, to pay for their maintenance could only be given by legislation.