§ MR. MAGUIRE (Clare, N.)I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland if his attention has been drawn to the claims made by the Local Government Board against the Town Commissioners of Kilrush in connection with promoting a Provisional Order in reference to the purchase of the works of the Kilrush Gas Company; and whether he will take steps to have the claim reduced?
MR. J. MORLEYThe expenses referred to in this question were law costs incurred by the Local Government Board on behalf of the Town Commissioners in connection with a Provisional Order empowering them to acquire the gas works, and to undertake the supply of gas to the district. The Order, as confirmed by Act of Parliament, provides that all the costs incidental to the preparation and confirmation of the Order shall be paid by the Commissioners, and these costs—duly taxed and amounting to less than £30—were advanced to the Exchequer by the Local Government Board on behalf of the Commissioners. The Board have no power to reduce the amount of their claim upon the Commissioners as requested.