§ MR. PATRICK POWERasked the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, What decision, if any, has been come to with regard to the present system of auditing the accounts of Public Boards in Ireland; and, whether the Government intend curtailing the arbitrary power of surcharge at present vested in auditors in whose appointment the ratepayers have no voice?
§ MR. CAMPBELL-BANNERMANThis subject could not be dealt with except by legislation. As has been stated on a former occasion, the Local Government Board do not think that anything in the action of their auditors has rendered a power of appeal from their ruling necessary; but, nevertheless, they think that such a right of appeal might properly be provided by law, if an opportunity for legislation on the subject occurred.
§ MR. PATRICK POWERfurther asked, Whether the law upon the subject in Ireland and England might not be assimilated?
§ MR. CAMPBELL-BANNERMANsaid, he could not now make any promise with regard to legislation.