§ SIR T. G. FARDELL (Paddington, S.)I beg to ask the President of the Local Government Board whether his attention has been called to an inquiry held by Mr. Henry Lockwood, an inspector of the Board, on the 1st instant, relative to an application from the Guardians of St. Olave's Union to the Local Government Board to promote a Provisional Order in Parliament to extend the borrowing powers of the guardians from one-fourth (£212,070) to one-half of the annual rateable value of the Union (namely, £424,140); and, if so, whether, seeing that such power, if granted, would mean an increase in the rates of 5d. in the pound for the next 30 years, he will consider the advisability of refusing to sanction the promotion of this Provisional Order?
§ THE PRESIDENT OF THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT BOARD (Mr. H. CHAPLIN,) Lincolnshire, SleafordI am aware of the Inquiry referred to. If the Provisional Order were issued by the Local Government Board it would not confer on the Board of Guardians any borrowing powers which could be exercised without the sanction of the Board, and, before giving sanction to any loan, the Board would very carefully consider all the circumstances of the case.