§ Mr. PRETYMANasked the President-of the Local Government Board whether he has in his Department any figures showing the total annual cost of direct beneficiary assistance to individuals for the years 1890–1, 1900–1, 1910–11, and for any later year, distinguishing the amount falling upon local rates and upon Imperial taxes, respectively, and including the cost of administration; if so, will he state them; and will he, in future, grant an 219W annual Return setting forth these figures and adding the number of direct beneficiaries on a given date in each year
§ Mr. BURNSOpinions may differ as to the items to be included in the term "direct beneficiary assistance," but the tabular statement below, which embodies information respecting certain services included in Returns received by the Local Government Board, affords some information in the direction desired. It relates to England and Wales alone. Particulars of the expenditure of Local Authorities in England and Wales on the services specified in the body of the statement are published annually in the Local Taxation Returns issued by the Department.
Statement showing (approximately) according to the Returns received by the Local Government Board, the gross expenditure (other than out of loans, but including loan charges) of local authorities in England and Wales in each of the years 1890–1, 1900–1, and 1910–11, on the undermentioned services or purposes; and distinguishing, for the year 1910–11, the amount of such expenditure estimated to have been met from (1) public rates, (2) Exchequer Grants, and (3) other receipts; also- showing the approximate cost of old age pensions in England and Wales in the last-mentioned year.
Service or Purpose. Year 1890–1, Year1900–1 Year 1910–11 Estimated to have been met from:— Total. Public rate. Exchequer Grants. Other Receipts. (1) (2) (3) (4) (5) (6) (7) £ £ £ £ £ £ Relief of the Poor 8,500,000 11,550,000 11,760,000 2,450,000 810,000 15,020,000 Unemployed Workmen Act, 1905 — — 70,000 80,000 30,000 180,000 Hospitals provided by Local Authorities other than Poor Law Infirmaries 330,000 1,330,000, *1,800,000 *— 50,000 1,850,000 Education (Provision of Meals) Act, 1906 — — 12,180,000 11,520,000 360,000 150,000 Medical inspection and Treatment of School Children — — 180,000 Other Expenses of Elementary Education 5,420,000 1,290,000' 2,090,000 1,780,000 660,000 23,740,000 Higher Education 4,530,000 Totals 14,250,000 24,170,000 27,900,000 15,840,000 1,910,000 45,650,000 Approximate cost of Old Age Pensions in England and Wales in 1910–11, £6,246,000. *Some indistinguishable portion of the sum of £1,800,000 entered in column 4 may have been met out of the Grant under the Agricultural Rates Act, 1896, and the "free balances" of the Exchequer contribution accounts.