§ MR. SLOAN (Belfast, S.)To ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether he can explain why, in the reports made by the Local Government Board auditor on the Corporation accounts of the Belfast County Borough for the year ending 31st March, 1903, no reference has been made by the auditor to a series of complaints made to him; and will he give facilities to have an audit made by a competent firm of auditing accountants who would accept the responsibility of auditors.
(Answered by Mr. Wyndham.) The auditor referred, in his report, to the representations made to him in respect to the question of rent to be paid by several trading undertakings and the excessive allowance for deputation expenses. Most of the objections were in the nature of criticism of the administration by the council of matters which were within its discretion and in which the auditor has no authority to intervene. The Board has perfect confidence in the auditor and is satisfied there are no grounds for superseding him as suggested.