§ 16. Mr. COLLISONasked the Minister of Pensions if he will state the cost of maintaining the 700 ex-service men now in lunatic asylums; and what would be the additional cost of maintaining these men in private institutions?
§ Major TRYONI gather that the hon. Member refers to cases in which the mental condition is neither due to nor worsened by service, and I would remind him that my Department is not responsible for their maintenance. I understand, however, that the present average cost for maintenance of a patient in a county or borough asylum is 24s. a week.
§ Mr. COLLISONIn view of the reply given, is it not worth reconsideration to remove from these men the stigma of pauperism?
§ Mr. FRANK GRAYIs not the object of the policy of the Government to relieve national obligations by throwing them on to the local exchequers?
§ Major TRYONNo, the object of the Government is to carry out the Act of Parliament and only to make the Ministry liable for illness or disability due to the War.
§ Mr. A. V. ALEXANDERDoes the reply mean that the Ministry of Pensions are getting a lower cost than the Poor Law figure?
§ Major TRYONFor the particular men referred to, the Ministry is not responsible. For those for whom we are responsible, we are making special arrangements, including special treatment, the beginning of which I announced the other day.
§ Mr. WHEATLEYHave the Government made any estimate, showing how much it costs to keep an individual outside an asylum?