§ DR. FARQUHARSON, (Aberdeenshire, W.)I beg to ask the President of the Local Government Board if he could state to the House how many children suffering from scarlet fever, smallpox, and diphtheria have been removed from the Metropolitan pauper schools to the care of the Metropolitan Asylums Board during the year 1896, and what has been the cost of each of these patients per week, including interest on and repayment of capital charges. And can he also give the names of the schools which have respectively furnished the patients suffering from these diseases?
§ THE SECRETARY TO THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT BOARD (Mr. T. W. RUSSELL,) Tyrone, S.The Local Government Board has been informed by the Managers of the Metropolitan Asylum District that during the year 1896, 275 children suffering from scarlet fever and 15 from diphtheria, were removed from Poor Law Schools in the Metropolis (including two certified schools) to asylums of the Managers. There were no cases of small-pox. The schools from which children were removed were the separate schools of Islington, Hackney, Strand, Holborn, Shoreditch, Bethnal Green, St. George's-in-the-East, Lambeth, and Westminster, and the schools of the Kensington and Chelsea, Central London, Forest Gate, and North Surrey School Districts. Children were also removed from the Exmouth Training Ship and from the North Hyde and St. Agnes' Orphanage certified schools. The Managers further inform the Board that it is not possible to state with precision what has been the cost of each patient per week, but that the average cost may be put at about 21s. per week per patient—this sum including maintenance and common charges.