§ Mr. Carter-Jonesasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what arrangements are made for the payment of pocket money to children in hospital for whom provision is not made by their parents; what is the average weekly sum paid; and if she will make a statement.
§ Dr. OwenIf a child in a psychiatric hospital does not receive an adequate allowance from his parents hospital authorities should provide an appropriate amount of pocket money. No formal arrangements are made in the case of children in non-psychiatric hospitals who do not receive pocket money from their parents, but I understand that help is often available for such children from voluntary sources.
No information is available centrally on the average weekly amounts paid to children in hospital.