HC Deb 23 April 1907 vol 172 cc1567-8
MR. HALPIN (Clare, W.)

I beg to ask the President of the Board of Trade will he inquire into the cause of delay in not returning plans of sewerage from the Clare Lunatic Asylum to the inspectors of lunatics, in order that the sanction of the Lord-Lieutenant be obtained to carry out the works, those plans having been forwarded to the Board of Trade eight months ago, and notices published in the Dublin and local papers over four months ago, asking for any objections to the sewage works being carried out, and stating that within twenty-one days the Board would proceed in the matter; whether he is aware that a serious epidemic of typhoid fever broke out at the asylum owing to the alleged defective sewerage, by which several of the patients lost their lives, and the sanction of the Board of Trade became necessary owing to the fact that the sewers are to be carried over a small stream subject to tidal influence that runs dry in the summer season; and that the principal owner and occupier of the adjacent lands gave his sanction to the project months ago.

THE PRESIDENT OF THE BOARD OF TRADE (Mr. LLOYD-GEORGE,) Carnarvon Boroughs

The first communication in this matter from the Dublin Office of Lunatic Asylums was received in August last, but it was not until October that the necessary plans were forwarded to the Board who, in the same month, gave instructions for the application to be advertised. The Lunatic Asylums Office, however, demurred to the newspapers prescribed by the Board for the advertisement, with the result that proofs of the advertisement were received only on 5th January last. On receipt of these proofs the owners of property adjacent to the site of the proposed works were at once consulted by the Board of Trade, but one of them—though written to more than once—neglected to reply, thus causing delay. The Board of Trade have now informed the Inspectors of Lunatic Asylums that they are prepared to consent to the works on certain conditions. I have no information as to the matter referred to in the last part of the Question.