§ 73. Sir JOHN SPEARasked if the right hon. Gentleman is aware that the salaries of Poor Law officers and servants in 1912 were practically double those paid to similar officers in 1888; and, as the Grant-in-Aid in 1912 was based on the expenditure in 1888, an unfair portion of the increased cost falling on the ratepayers, will he remedy this grievance by securing that the Grant be based on present day expenditure rather than on the expenditure of 1888?
§ Mr. HERBERT LEWISWhat the hon. Member proposes could not be done without legislation. The question bas been remitted to a Committee to report upon, and pending their report the basis of the Grant should not in my opinion be altered.