§ 56. Mr. SWANasked the Prime Minister if, in view of the increase in the cost of maintenance of lunatic paupers at lunatic asylums from the approximate sum of 8s. per week on the passing of the Local Government Act, 1888, to between 21s. and 28s. at the present time, the sum of 4s. per head repaid to the various unions under the said Act of 1888 is totally inadequate, and as a result the balance payable per head is a heavy burden upon local rates; and, as the cost of maintenance of lunatic paupers is still likely to increase, if he will consider the desirability of legislation being immediately introduced to relieve local rates by amending the Local Government Act, 1888, so as to provide for the repayment to the guardians of at least one-half of the actual cost to them of every pauper lunatic instead of the present fixed sum of 4s. per head?
§ The MINISTER of HEALTH (Dr. Addison)I would refer the hon. Member to the reply given on the 28th October to a similar question asked by the hon. and gallant Member for the Isle of Ely.