HC Deb 19 April 1888 vol 324 cc1713-4
MR. HARRIS (Galway, E.)

asked the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, If it is a fact that the following Guardians of the Ballinasloe Union have been surcharged by the auditor, Colonel O'Hara, in the following sums—namely, James Kilmartin, £1 19s. 6d.; J. Barrett, 10s. 6d.; Laurence Conroy, 10s. 6d.; Junius Horne, 9s.; E. W. Fowler, 4s. 6d.; R. O. Connor, 9s.; for sanctioning relief to a man suffering from diabetes, and two men whose united ages amounted to 164 years; has the auditor full discretionary powers in these matters; and, have the Law Courts power to remit these surcharges against the will of the auditor, even in cases where a doctor's certificate has been presented by the relieving officer?

THE CHIEF SECRETARY (Mr. A. J. BALFOUR) (Manchester, E.)

James Kilmartin was surcharged by the auditor. Colonel O'Hara, the sum of £1 9s., and the other Guardians the several sums set forth in the Question, on account of illegal outdoor relief afforded to two persons. One of these was stated to be suffering from diabetes. I am not aware of their ages. The auditor has full power to disallow and strike out illegal payments. The Law Courts have no power to remit these surcharges.

MR. HARRIS

What is the legal amount of relief which Guardians are entitled to give; and are not the facts in this case as follows:—One man received 5s. per week for 10 weeks and 3s. per week for 16 weeks, and another man 1s. 6d. per week for 26 weeks? Does the right hon. Gentleman assert that those sums were over the amount which the law allows the Guardians to grant?

MR. A. J. BALFOUR

As I understand the matter, the Guardians acted entirely illegally, and gave outdoor relief to two men who were not qualified to receive it. One of those men had 13 or 14 acres of land, and the other eight acres, and they were, therefore, disqualified.

MR. P. J. POWER (Waterford, E.)

Is it not a fact that in England, when surcharges are made by a Poor Law auditor, there is a right of appeal; whereas in Ireland there is no right of appeal?

MR. A. J. BALFOUR

I am not aware.