§ MR. HARRY FOSTER (Suffolk, Lowestoft)I beg to ask the President of the Local Government Board whether he is aware that a strong feeling exists upon both sides of the House in favour of financial assistance to the Port Sanitary Authorities in the expenditure they have incurred, or may be called upon to incur, on the recommendation of the Local Government Board for taking precautions against the invasion of cholera; whether he is aware that this expenditure has in many cases proved a severe burden on the local ratepayers; and whether he will use his influence with the Treasury to secure an advance out of public funds to the Local Authorities in the discharge of a national duty?
§ MR. H. H. FOWLERThere are three queries addressed to me on this question. As to the first, the hon. Member is no doubt better aware than I am as to what the fooling is on it. As to the second, the local ratepayers are more competent to express an opinion than I 1074 am. The third is, whether I will use my influence with the Treasury to secure an advance out of the public funds. I can only say that, although I do entertain strong opinions on this subject, yet I understand a deputation of Members of this House intend to lay their views before me, and I think it would be disrespectful to them if I were to express any opinion now.
§ MR. HARRY FOSTERArising out of the right hon. Gentleman's answer to the second question, may I ask if he is not aware that in some localities as much as 9d. in the £1 has had to be levied in connection with this special expenditure? Take Dartmouth, for instance.
§ MR. H. H. FOWLERI have heard the statement, but I have no means of verifying it. I have received no complaints as to it.