§ LORD ELCHO (Ipswich)I bog to ask the President of the Local Government Board whether, with the view of 716 promoting labour bureaux, he will authorise Government auditors, in the event of their being appealed to, to pass expenditure incurred by Town Councils in instituting and carrying on local labour bureaux?
§ THE PRESIDENT OF THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT BOARD (Mr. H. H. FOWLER,) Wolverhampton, E.The accounts of Town Councils are not audited by district auditors appointed by the Government, but by borough auditors, two of whom are elected by the burgesses and the third is appointed by the Mayor. These auditors have no such powers of disallowance and surcharge as are possessed by district auditors, and the Local Government Board have no jurisdiction over them.
§ LORD ELCHOAre Town Councils authorised to incur expenditure in this manner?
§ MR. H. H. FOWLERMy right hon. Friend the President of the Board of Trade will answer a question on that point presently.