MR. BRYNMOR JONES (Swansea, District)To ask the President of the Local Government Board whether he is aware that dissatisfaction has been expressed by Boards of Guardians in regard to the operation of Section 26 of the Local Government Act, 1888; and whether he will consider the propriety of bringing in a Bill to amend that section in such a way as to enable County Councils to make grants to Boards of Guardians towards the costs of officers of the Union, equal to the sums now in fact annnually expended by the Guardians on the salaries, remuneration, and superannuation allowances of such officers, and on drugs and medical appliances.
(Answered by Mr. Walter Long.) I have received representations from Boards of Guardians with respect to this matter. The Royal Commission on local taxation thought that the grant under the section referred to should be a fixed amount, though they recommended that it should be based on the expenditure of a later year than 1887-8. I am not at present in a position to promise legislation on the subject, but the recommendation will receive consideration in connection with any general measure relating to local taxation.