§ MR. TULLYTo ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland whether he can state the total amount paid in Longford Union and Longford District Council for the years ended March, 1900, 1901, and 1902, respectively, for printing, books, advertising, and stationery; the amount of the contract for this work for the present year for Union and District Council; and when were tenders received in these years for the District Council printing and advertising; and, seeing that the lowest tender was not accepted by the guardians in March, 1902, will he say whether the auditor has surcharged to the parties responsible the difference between the highest and lowest tenders, and also the sums paid where no contract was entered into with the District Council; and, if so, what steps he proposes to take in the matter.
(Answered by Mr. Wyndham) The amounts paid in Longford Union for this work in the years mentioned were £95 16s. 1d., £113 7s. 7d., and £87 7s. 10d. respectively: and by the Rural District Council £109 1s. 7d., £74 0s. 7d., and £65 18s. 1d. The amount to be paid in the union and rural district for the same work during the current year is £65. No tenders were received in these years by the District Council. The lowest tender was accepted by the guardians in March, 1902.