§ MR. WEIRI beg to ask the Lord Advocate, having regard to the fact that the Report of the Congested Districts Board for Scotland is for a period of 15 months, namely, from 1st October 1897 to 31st December 1898, whilst the account of receipts and expenditure is only for six months, namely, from 1st October 1897 to 31st March 1898, will he state the total amount expended to 31st December 1898, and in future make arrangements to issue the report as well as the account as soon as possible after the close of the financial year?
MR. GRAHAM MURRAYI would refer the honourable Member to page 17 of the Congested Districts Board's Report, explaining why in dealing with a period ending 31st December 1898 the accounts are submitted only up to a period ending on 31st March. It is not usual to render accounts for only a portion of the official year. It is the intention of the Board to issue their next report at the close of the financial year. 1899–1900, and thereafter to make the report cover in each year the same period as the financial year.