asked the Minister of Health what is the average cost per head for catering in mental hospitals; and what is the comparable figure for other hospitals.

As the Answer contains a table of figures, I will, with permission, circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

A recent publication on the cost of medical care showed that the amount spent on food for each patient in mental hospitals was about one-quarter of the amount spent on food for patients in other hospitals. How can this difference be justified?

I would ask my hon. Friend to await the figures. While it is true that the cost of food in a psychiatric hospital is less than in an acute hospital, this is partly due to the fact that it is easier to avoid waste where the number of patients is more static and the needs less various.

The information is as follows:

The average cost of catering per person fed per week varies according to the type of hospital. Examples for the year ended 31st March, 1963, are as follows:—