Lunacy Act, 1890

Power for a Commissioner or visitor to direct a search whether a particular person has been confined.

51.—(1) If any person applies to a Commissioner in order to be informed whether any particular patient is confined in any institution for lunatics, or other place subject to the visitation of the Commissioners, the Commissioner, if he thinks fit, may sign an order to the secretary of the Commissioners, who shall search amongst the returns made to the Commissioners, whether the person inquired after is or has been within the last twelve months confined.

(2) If it appears that the patient is or has been so confined the secretary shall deliver to the applicant a statement in writing, specifying the situation of the institution or place in which the patient appears to be or to have been confined, and also (so far as the secretary can ascertain the same from any register or return in his possession) the name of the manager or principal officer of the institution or place, and the date of admission, and (in case of the patient’s removal or discharge) the date of his removal or discharge.

(3) If any such application is made to a visitor as to any licensed house within his jurisdiction, the visitor may make the like order upon the clerk to the visitors, who shall make search among the returns made to him, and deliver to the applicant the like statement as to any such licensed house as the secretary of the Commissioners is by this section required to make and deliver.

(4) The applicant shall pay to the person required to make a search under this section such sum not exceeding seven shillings as the Commissioners or visitors fix.

Diet.