§ MR. J. ROWLANDS (Finsbury, E.)asked the First Lord of the Treasury, Whether he is now able to state whether the Government will take such action as may be necessary to annul all the leases granted by the Metropolitan Board of Works which, according to the Evidence taken before the Royal Commission, have been obtained by bribing the officials, or giving colourable employment to members of the Board?
§ THE FIRST LORD (Mr. W. H. SMITH) (Strand, Westminster), in reply, said, that it was not in the power, nor did he hold it to be the function, of Her Majesty's Government to take the steps suggested by the hon. Member. If there were any legal ground for annulling the leases granted, it rested with the Local Authorities to take action in the matter.