§ Sir J. LEIGHasked the Minister of Health what has been the total expense on public funds of the inebriate institution at Langho since it was built 20 years ago; how many inebriates have been lodged there since the Armistice; and whether it is now used for the treatment of mental deficients and is under the supervision of the Board of Control?
Mr. CHAMBERLAINI am not in a position to state the total expense to public funds during the period when inebriates were maintained at this institution, but I am informed that the Government grant from April, 1904, to May, 1920, amounted to £59,524. At the date of the Armistice, there were 55 inmates, but during the year 1919 the average number was 32. The institution is now used for mental defectives by the Lancashire Asylums Board, and is certified by the Board of Control. Some blocks were used for mental defectives in 1915, but since the spring of 1920 the whole of the institution has been used for mental defectives. The total cost of maintaining defectives at this institution since 1915 to the 31st March in the present year has amounted to £87,378.