HC Deb 09 May 1884 vol 287 c1851
MR. O'BRIEN

asked the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, Whether any, and, if so, what steps have been actually taken by the Local Government Board to investigate the charges of defalcations in the funds of the Blackrock Township made against Rate-Collector Elliott?

MR. TREVELYAN

The alleged defalcations are being investigated by a Special Committee of the Blackrock Township Commissioners, and not by the Local Government Board. The business of the Local Government Board has been to ascertain that the inquiry is being carried out with promptitude. They are keeping a very close eye to it.

MR. O'BRIEN

Are not the Government going to insist that this man shall be prosecuted the same as any other common criminal?

MR. TREVELYAN

It is quite obvious that inquiry as to defalcations in one particular must be conducted by that Department before a Department in which no allegation of a defalcation is made can take notice of the matter.

MR. GRAY

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that this investigation is being conducted in private; and will he inform the House by what means it is intended to procure for the Local Government Board information as to the proceedings, so that they may be able to act on them?

MR. TREVELYAN

I shall take every means to ascertain whether this gentleman is a proper person to continue in a position over which the Local Government Board have authority.

MR. SEXTON

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware, or has it been brought under the notice of the Local Government Board, that the Commissioners who are conducting this inquiry are the persons who allowed Mr. Elliott £420 from arrears of poundage on money which he had appropriated; and, if that be so, does the Local Government Board regard such Commissioners as fit and proper persons to be intrusted with an inquiry into this matter?

[No reply. 1.]