Lieut-Colonel THORNEasked the Secretary to the Treasury whether he is aware that the average cost of maintenance for juveniles at the place of detention provided for under the Children's Act, 1908, for the year ending 31st March, for such juvenile offenders for the borough of West Ham worked out at 35s. per head; if he is aware that the West Ham Corporation appreciated the increase of the Treasury Grant from 9d. to 1s. per day as from the 1st July, 1918, and they desire to submit that existing conditions justify a further increase, especially in view of the present-day prices of commodities; and if he will take action in the matter?
§ Mr. SHORTTThe question of the Treasury Grants towards the cost of places of detention has recently been620W under consideration, and it has been decided to pay as from the 1st April last an Exchequer contribution equal to half the net expenditure on revenue account incurred by the corporation in providing for the maintenance of children and young persons in places of detention. The increase in the contribution and the conditions on which it is made were explained to the corporation in a letter sent to them on the 12th instant.