§ MR. W. SIDEBOTTOM (Derbyshire, High Peak)asked the President of the Local Government Board, If he will define what items are included in subsections i. and iv. in section 23 of the Local Government Act, as great uncertainty exists on the question?
§ THE PRESIDENT (Mr. RITCHIE) (Tower Hamlets, St. George's)No question with regard to these items can practically arise until the County Councils are constituted, and they must depend on the actual circumstances in connection with each particular county. I may observe, however, that the terms of sub-section i. are general, with the view of covering any expenditure which may be incidental to the keeping of an Exchequer Contribution Account; and that sub-section iv. refers to the costs for all purposes for which the County Council may assess the whole of their administrative county. These purposes, which include the maintenance of main roads, are, under section 68 (2) of the Act, general county purposes; and all expenditure for such purposes is to be charged to the General County Account.