§ Mr. GOLDSMITHasked the Home Secretary how many habitual drunkards applied, under the Habitual Drunkards Act of 1879, to be admitted to retreats during each of the years since 1900; how many were allowed to leave before their time had expired; how many on leaving were cured; and how many while in the retreat had to be removed to lunatic asylums?
§ Mr. McKENNAThe number of persons actually admitted under the Act, the number allowed to leave before their time had expired, and the number removed to lunatic asylums are as follows:—
Year. Number Admitted under the Act. Number Allowed to Leave before Expiry of Time. Number sent to Lunatic Asylums. 1900 … 219 42 2 1901 … 220 66 2 1902 … 259 36 2 1903 … 247 41 6 1904 … 173 32 1 1905 … 159 33 1 1906 … 207 38 0 1907 … 210 55 2 1908 … 207 42 2 1909 … 187 42 5 1910 … 158 30 3 1911 … 151 38 1 1912 … 182 37 5 1913 … 161 48 2 Totals … 2,740 580 34 In addition to the above number of admissions under the Act, 4,061 persons entered retreats as private patients, making the total number of admissions 952W No figures can be given as to the number of patients cured, as it is often impossible to obtain information as to the history of patients after their discharge. It is estimated, however, that about a third of all persons who have submitted to detention become useful citizens, and that a larger number have been materially improved.