24. Mr. PRICEasked the Minister of Health whether he has any information as to the number of grant-aided institutions for the treatment of persons suffering from incurable disease in England and Wales, the number of persons now in these institutions, and the total number of beds available; and whether any public assistance committees have special institutions for the care of incurable patients, either on a paying or non-paying basis?
Sir H. YOUNGI would remind the hon. Member that direct grants are no longer paid from the Exchequer towards the cost of maintaining institutions for the treatment of disease. Apart from that point, I am not aware of any institutions which are provided by local authorities, through their public assistance committees or otherwise, for the treatment of incurable disease, except perhaps certain institutions for mental defectives. If the hon. Member desires information as to these latter institutions, perhaps he will let me know.