§ Bill read 3a (according to Order).
§ THE LORD CHANCELLOR (EARL LOREBURN)My Lords, I have several Amendments to move One of the purposes is to add to the strength of the Lunacy Commissioners, and the necessity for that has arisen in this way. It has been necessary for me to make orders in three successive years diminishing the number of visits which each Commissioner had to make because their number was insufficient. I do not think I ought to continue doing so any longer, because while the number of Commissioners in Lunacy is the same as in 1845 the patients under their care have increased from 25,000 to 120,000. As to Clause 1, I have been reluctantly obliged to give up the hope of effecting in this Bill an amalgamation of the Lunacy Departments because Parliamentary time will not suffice for the carrying out of that much needed reform. The object of my Amendments is to jettison what I am afriad I can no longer hope to carry in this Bill.
§
Amendments moved—
Leave out Clause 1 [Amalgamation of the Lunacy Departments].
Clause 3, page 2, line 3, leave out from ("1911") to the end of the clause.
After clause 3, insert the following new clause—
.The number of paid Commissioners in Lunacy shall be increased by two, and for that
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purpose the Lord Chancellor may appoint two persons to be Commissioners in Lunacy, and the provisions of the Lunacy Act, 1890, with respect to the qualification of Commissioners shall apply to any Commissioner appointed under this section.
First Schedule, page 3, leave out the First Schedule.
Second Schedule, page 5, leave out the Second Schedule.
In the Title, leave out ("amalgamate the Lunacy Departments") and insert ("provide for the appointment of two additional Commissioners in Lunacy").—(The Lord Chancellor.)
§ On Question, Amendments agreed to.
§ Bill passed, and sent to the Commons.