B—7 [Pr. I]

YEAR ENDING 31 MARCH, 1949

DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH— continued.

(a) As from the Ist April, 1947, the hospital levy on local authorities has been limited to 0-sd. in the pound (Finance Act (No. 2), 1946, section 15). This has resulted in the amount of subsidies being substantially increased. From estimates supplied by Hospital Boards it is apparent that the amount required for subsidies for 1948-49 will be substantially in excess of the amount paid during 1947-48. The increase arises from increased salaries paid to hospital employees and increased cost of materials.

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1948-49. 1947-48. VOTE—HEALTH— continued Voted. Expended. Subdivision No. I — Health —continued Other Charges for and incidental to — continued Hospitals and Charitable Institutions Act — Subsidies to Hospital Boards .. (a Subsidies to separate institutions £ ) 4,250,000 425 £ 3,460,000 425 £ 3,147,950 425 Masseurs Registration Act — Examination expenses, &c. (part recoverable) 4,250,425 3,460,425 3,148,375 250 200 232 Medical Practitioners Act — Expenses (part recoverable) 200 200 140 Nurses and Mid-wives Registration Act —- Examination expenses, &c. (part recoverable) 3,000 2,850 3,041 Opticians Act — Expenses (recoverable) 300 250 336 Plumbers Registration Act — Examination expenses, &c. (part recoverable) 1,400 850 1,346 Poisons Act — Expenses (part recoverable) 50 50 4 Sale of Food and Drugs Act — Law-costs (part recoverable) Other expenses (including purchase of samples) 300 1,200 100 1,000 339 1,299 1,500 1,100 1,638 Social Hygiene Act — Expenses Treatment, &c, of indigent patients by medical practitioners 500 100 500 500 353 35 600 1,000 388