§ MR. FIELD (Dublin, St. Patrick)I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland whether he is aware that the two last reports of the auditor of the Local Government Board, on the annual statement of accounts for the county borough of Belfast, have not been given to the members of that Corporation; whether this fact affects the payments for deputation expenses which have been condemned as excessive, and are being paid up to date nevertheless; whether he is aware that in the last report the auditor disallowed and surcharged against certain members of the Corporation sums of money; and whether he can state what steps the Irish Local Government Board propose to take with 1093 regard to these surcharges, and to enforce the publication of these reports of their auditor for the future guidance of members of the Belfast City Council.
§ MR. ATKINSONThe Local Government Board are not aware whether or not the reports referred to were communicated to the members of the Council individually. The auditor in one of these reports took strong exception to the expenses incurred by deputations of the Council. He made no surcharge in respect of these expenses, and I am unable to say what action has since been taken by the Council in the matter. On the occasion of his last audit, the auditor surcharged sums amounting to £3,017 in respect of interest on overdrafts, and £1,406 expended in the purchase of motors for utilising electricity. The first of these surcharges has been remitted; no decision has yet been arrived at respecting the second. In reply to the last query, my right hon. friend has already stated that a Bill has been drafted amending the Local Government Acts, which contains a provision enabling the Board to prescribe rules as to the publication of the reports of its auditors.