§ MR. TULLYI beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland whether he is aware that the auditor's Report on the Belfast Borough Accounts was not published in any newspaper, and was not circulated amongst the members of the Council; whether this Report contained any references to the manner in which certain officials discharged their duties; and whether the Local Government Board will insist on the former practice of publishing these Reports being complied with.
§ MR. WYNDHAMThe Local Government Board is unable to say whether the Report was published or circulated. The Board has no power to require the 147 publication of such Reports. The Local Government Bill, now before the House, contained a provision enabling the Board to make rules concerning the publication of Auditors' Reports. This provision, however, was dropped.
§ MR. TULLYAs this provision—a very useful one—was dropped in a hurry and without due consideration, will the right hon. Gentleman undertake to reinstate it in the Bill?
§ MR. WYNDHAMI will consider that on the Report stage.