§ MR. FIELD (Dublin, St. Patrick)I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland whether he is aware that the auditor of the Local Government Board, in his report dated 6th January last on the Belfast Borough Accounts for the year ended 31st March, 1901, surcharged several sums, amounting to £4,423 18s., against members of the Council, and refers in his report to other sums that he had not disallowed, but which he stated if they appeared at a subsequent audit would be reviewed; whether he is aware that this report of the Auditor has not been supplied to or brought before the members of the Council generally; and whether it is the intention of the Local Government Board to take further steps to render effective their auditor's report.
§ MR. WYNDHAMThe facts are correctly stated in the first part of the Question. The Board is not aware that the report has been communicated to the members of the Council generally. A Bill has been drafted amending the Local Government Acts, 1898–1901, and this Bill contains a provision enabling the Board to prescribe rules as to the publication of the reports of its auditors.