§ SIR GEORGE FARDELL (Paddington, S.)To ask the President of the Local Government Board if the accounts of Metropolitan Common Poor Fund are audited; and, if so, by whom; and whether he would give instructions for a copy of such accounts to be sent (after audit) annually to all the [Metropolitan unions, parishes, or places contributing to the fund.
§ (Answered by Mr. Walter Long.) Statements showing in great detail the expenditure repayable out of the Metropolitan Common Poor Fund are submitted by the several Boards of Guardians to the district auditor and are corrected and certified by him. These statements are then forwarded to the Local Government Board, and are carefully examined and checked by the receiver and his assistants. Printed summaries are sent every half-year to Boards of Guardians in the Metropolis 377 showing under thirteen different headings the expenses incurred by each of them which are repayable from the fund, and also as regards each union the rateable value. the amount of the contribution assessed, the expenditure repayable, and the net amount contributed or received. These summaries are subsequently published in the Annual Reports of the Local Government Board. It does not at present appear to me that anything further is necessary in the direction indicated by my hon. friend.