§ Mr. R. RICHARDSONasked the Minister of Health whether, in the matter of dealings with applications for the dis- 431W charge of patients from asylums, the question is decided by the local visiting committees sitting fortnightly at the asylum and in touch with its inmates, or whether any influence is exercised in this respect by the central London County Council committee sitting at Arundel Street; and what are the functions pertaining to the latter body?
§ Sir A. MONDUnder the London County Council (General Powers) Act, 1915, all the duties of a visiting committee under the Lunacy Acts, 1890 to 1911, in respect of the County of London, are transferred to the London County Council, but stand referred to the Asylums and Mental Deficiency Committee which meets, not at Arundel Street, but at Spring Gardens. All applications for the discharge of patients from the London County Mental hospitals are considered and dealt with at each hospital by the members of visiting sub-committees appointed by the Asylums and Mental Deficiency Committee for the management of that hospital, and by them alone.
TOTAL RECEIPTS BY LOCAL AUTHORITIES IN ENGLAND AND WALES. —— Year ended 31st March. 1919. 1920. 1921. £ £ £ (approximate). (estimated). (i) From rates 84,700,000 105,590,000 148,750,000 (ii) From Government grants (including grants out of the Local Taxation Account). 28,900,000 48,280,000 62,450,000 (iii) From other sources not being loans 81,200,000 104,390,000 Information not yet available. (iv) Total receipts other than from loans 194,800,000 258,260,000