§ Mr. SHORTasked the Minister of Labour, as representing the Ministry of Health, the present average cost of the maintenance of paupers under the Poor Law?
§ Sir M. BARLOWDuring the half-year ending 30th September, 1922, when nearly 87 per cent. of the persons in receipt of Poor Law relief in England and Wales were in receipt of relief in their own homes, the average weekly amount of Poor Law relief given in money or kind to persons in their own homes was 5s. 4½d. per person (man, woman or child). The latest available figures as to the average weekly expenditure in respect of the sick, aged, and other persons in receipt of Poor Law relief in institutions are for the financial year 1920–21 and (including the cost of maintenance, clothing, nursing and medical treatment and up-keep of buildings and staff) are as follows: In institutions solely for the sick and infirm, 57s. 0d.; in institutions solely for children 28s. 4¼d.; and in general institutions 30s. 2½d. The foregoing averages do not cover relief given to persons in county and 3365W borough lunatic asylums or in institutions belonging to the Metropolitan Asylums Board.