§ 5. Lieut.-Commander KENWORTHYasked the Home Secretary what is the 1144 annual cost of the Borstal camps; how much of this is provided by the Treasury and how much by private charity; and when he proposes to place these camps on a non-charitable basis?
§ Sir W. JOYNSON-HICKSThe cost, which varies slightly from year to year, was £485 3s. 5d. in 1927. In that year, as usual, certain rations were supplied from Borstal Institutions at the cost of public funds, which also paid £32 13s. 5d. in respect of rations purchased out of camp funds. Public funds, therefore, paid for all rations. The rest of the cost, namely, £452 10s. was defrayed by private subscription, and in present circumstances I would not feel justified in asking the Treasury to meet the whole cost of these camps from public funds.
§ Lieut.-Commander KENWORTHYIf it is a fact that these camps serve a very useful purpose, as I believe they do, surely this trifling sum of £450 might be provided by the Exchequer, and would not that be much more satisfactory than leaving these camps on a charitable basis?
§ Sir W. JOYNSON-HICKSI do not think so. That the camps are most useful is undoubtedly true, but I rather like to feel that the public are willing to subscribe, and take an interest in these lads.