Sir J. D. REESasked the Minister of Health whether he is aware that, in view of the continued increase in the cost of lunatic patients chargeable to boards of guardians maintained at lunatic asylums, the sum of 4s. per head repaid to the various unions under the Local Government Act, 1888, is totally inadequate and throws a heavy burden upon local rates; and whether legislation will be introduced to amend the Local Government Act, 1888, so as to provide for repayment to boards of guardians of at least one-half of the actual cost to them of every lunatic patient maintained in a county asylum?
§ Dr. ADDISONI can only refer my hon. Friend to the reply given to a similar question asked by the hon. Member for Cirencester and Tewkesbury (Mr. T. Davies) on the 1st instant.