§ 29. Mr. R. RICHARDSONasked the Minister of Health if he is aware that the cost of maintenance of patients in the various asylums in the country has more than doubled since 1913 and that the allowance of the Ministry remains at the same figure as in that year; and will he, under the circumstances, recommend that the allowance be increased in keeping with the increased cost to the authorities?
Mr. CHAMBERLAINThe answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative, but the gross amount of the allowance was stabilised in 1916 and not in 1913. The grant was originally payable at a rate representing the difference between cost of maintenance in Poor Law institutions and cost in asylums, and while there has been a material increase in the latter there has been a similar increase in the former, and I am not aware that any case has been established for reconsideration.
§ Mr. RICHARDSONIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that 4s. was considered to be fifty-fifty in 1916? To-day the cost of maintenance is much higher and nothing whatever is being given to local authorities to meet it.
Mr. CHAMBERLAINThat is not what I said. The information I have indicates that there is no material change in the difference between the cost of treatment in a Poor Law institution and cost of treatment in asylums.