§ SIR WALTER FOSTER (Derby, Ilkeston)I beg to ask the President of the Local Government Board whether the Local Government Board have prepared the prescribed forms for Parish Council accounts, as directed by Section 58 (1) of The Local Government Act, 1891; and, if so, whether the prescribed forms of accounts will be issued generally, or on application from Parish Councils?
§ THE SECRETARY TO THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT BOARD (Mr. T. W. RUSSELL,) Tyrone, S.The Local Government Board have prescribed forms of financial statement showing the receipts and expenditure of Parish Councils. They are also empowered to prescribe forms of books of accounts for Parish Councils. They have not yet issued an order as to these forms, as they deemed it desirable that they should obtain experience as to the extent of the duties undertaken by Parish Councils, and the forms of account which could be most conveniently adopted. The subject is, however, receiving the attention of the board. They have referred the matter to their Inspector of Audits, who has had several conferences with the district auditors by whom the accounts are audited. When 278 an order is issued it will be a general order, and not an order applying to particular parishes.