§ MR. LABOUCHERE (Northampton)asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department, Whether his attention has been drawn to the statement made at the meeting of the Metropolitan Board of Works on Friday last, that the Board was entitled, under the provisions of the Act appointing the Board of Works Inquiry Commission, to employ counsel on behalf of the Board, and to pay the cost of them out of the money of London ratepayers; and, whether, under the provisions of the said Act, it is competent for the Board to employ and to pay counsel at the expense of the ratepayers?
§ THE SECRETARY OF STATE (Mr. MATTHEWS) (Birmingham, E.)The Act under which a Royal Commission is sitting to inquire into the working of the Metropolitan Board of Works enables them to appear by counsel or solicitor before the Commissioners. It is silent as to the payment of the counsel. I understand the contention of the Board to be that this clause carries with it, by implication, the right to charge the expense on the rates. Whether that contention is well founded or not is a question of construction, on which I cannot give an opinion. It must be settled by a Court of Law if any contest arises.