SIR HOWARD VINCENTI beg to ask the President of the Local Government Board if he can inform the House how many aliens were on 1st January, 1903, being maintained in the lunatic asylums and workhouses of the counties of London, Middlesex, Surrey, Berks, Hants, Bucks, and Herts.
§ THE PRESIDENT OF THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT BOARD (Mr. WALTER LONG,) Bristol, S.I have no information showing how many aliens were inmates of workhouses on the 1st of January last. As regards lunatic asylums, the matter is one for the Lunacy Commissioners, but I have made inquiry and understand that they have no statistics on the subject.
SIR HOWARD VINCENTMay I ask if the "places of origin" of inmates of workhouses are not ascertained by the workhouse authorities in order that the proper ratepayers may be charged with their cost of maintenance?
§ MR. WALTER LONGNot in the case of aliens.
SIR HOWARD VINCENTThen these destitute persons from all countries can come in and be chargeable to the rates.
§ MR. WALTER LONGYes, and they do.