28. Mr. F. HALLasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if his attention has been called to the fact that the maintenance of national services of which the Government has undertaken to relieve the local authorities at present involves a rate of in the £ so far as regards London; and if he will state to what extent this charge will be increased by the 939 decision to throw upon county councils the burden of caring for tuberculous persons?
§ Mr. MASTERMANI am not certain to what services the hon. Member refers in the first part of the question, but I understand the Exchequer Grants made to London considerably exceed the produce of a 1s. rate. With regard to the latter part of the question the hon. Member will be aware that expenditure by county councils on tuberculous persons is optional. I could not estimate the cost to the rates in the event of this option being exercised in London, as it would depend on the nature of the scheme adopted and other circumstances.