§ 96. Mr. SHEEHANasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether a sum of £150,000 a year, together with certain capital expenditure, is being provided out of Imperial sources for the purposes of the Mental Deficiency Bill for England; what similar subsidy is being offered for the purposes of the Scottish Bill dealing with this question; and, calculated upon existing standards, what is the equivalent amount to which Ireland will be annually entitled in the event of those measures becoming law, or of a special Bill being introduced making provision for the needs,of Ireland in this regard?
§ Mr. MASTERMANThe Exchequer contribution to relieve local authorities in England and Wales of part of the additional burden placed upon them by the Mental Deficiency Bill is limited to £150,000. The corresponding limit under the Mental Deficiency (Scotland) Bill is £20,000. The question of extending the provisions of the English Bill to Ireland is still under consideration, and my right hon. Friend is not at present in a position to make any statement on the subject.
§ Mr. WATTIs there any estimate as to how much these Bills will actually cost the local authorities over and above the sums from the Treasury?
§ Mr. MASTERMANI would like notice of that question.