HC Deb 01 June 1905 vol 147 cc447-8
MR. MACVEAGH

I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether he can state in whose name the account books devised after the passing of the Local Government Act are registered or copyrighted; in whose name the account books required by the Public Bodies Order, 1904, are registered or copyrighted; whether any profits have accrued, or will accrue, in either case to any official of the Local Government Board; and when the copyright in the first set of account books expired. †See page 337.

MR. WALTER LONG

I have already informed the hon. Member that the prescribed forms of account have not been copyrighted. If any forms have been copyrighted by a member of the Local Government Board's staff, the Board have no cognisance of the fact. Such forms are not the prescribed forms, and there is no obligation on local bodies to use them.

MR. MACVEAGH

Why were the copyrighting facilities given to Dr. Ellis refused to the clerk to the county council?

MR. WALTER LONG

said he knew nothing as to that.

MR. MACVEAGH

Will the right hon. Gentleman give me a straight answer—has he asked Dr. Ellis if he is deriving any royalties privately from the sale of these books?

MR. WALTER LONG

In view of the Answer I have given it was not necessary to put such a Question to him.

MR. MACVEAGH

The whole transaction is a public fraud.