SIR HENRY FLETCHER (Sussex, Lewes)I beg to ask the President of the Local Government Board whether he has sanctioned the raising of a loan of £15,000 by the Corporation of Hove for the purposes of a recreation ground outside the limits of the borough. Whether he is aware that the sum to be borrowed represents only a small portion of what will probably be ultimately required, and that a petition signed by a body of working men residing in the parish of Aldrington was presented in opposition to the scheme; and whether, in these circumstances, he will take any steps to prevent so large an expenditure of ratepayers' money on this project.
§ THE SECRETARY TO THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT BOARD (MR. T. W. RUSSELL,) Tyrone, S.The reply to the first paragraph of the question is in the affirmative. It is the case that further expenditure will be required in connection with the proposal of the corporation. The Local Government Board received petitions in opposition to the scheme, and they caused two local inquiries to be held on the subject. After full consideration they came to the conclusion not to withhold their sanction to the loan, and the matter cannot now be reopened.