§ 65. Lord Balnielasked the Minister of Health why the average cost of catering salaries and wages per patient fed each week in pyschiatric, mental sub-normality, hospitals is 6s. 11d. as against 18s. 9d. in acute hospitals.
§ Mr. BarberThe main reasons for lower catering staff costs in the psychiatric hospitals are that catering is simpler, with fewer special diets, and that it is generally done on a larger scale.
§ 66. Lord Balnielasked the Minister of Health whether he is satisfied that the quality of food provided in psychiatric hospitals is of comparable quality with the food provided in acute hospitals.
§ Mr. BarberI have no reason to think that the quality of food purchased by psychiatric hospitals is, in general, unsatisfactory, but, as my noble Friend knows, a detailed study is now in progress, covering costs, quantities and standards of food provided in twelve psychiatric hospitals.