HC Deb 02 March 1905 vol 142 cc188-9
MR. MACVEAGH

I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether he has received the unanimous resolution of the Downpatrick Union protesting against the adoption of the Public Bodies Order, 1904, and The Union Accounts Order, 1904; whether, in view of the protest of all the local authorities in Ireland, he proposes to suspend these Orders; and whether it is intended to give effect to the request of the Downpatrick Union for the issue of a volume containing the Rules and Orders issued prior to and since the passing of The Local Government Act, 1898?

MR. ATKINSON (for Mr. WYNDHAM)

The resolution has been received. The rural district council and the guardians were invited by the Board to indicate the provisions of the new Orders to which exception was taken and which would lead to the consequences suggested in the resolution, but, so far, they have failed to comply with, the Board's request. My right hon. friend has already stated that the Orders are essential to a proper system of financial administration. With respect to the second part of the Question, I would refer to Parliamentary Papers, No. 360 of 1899; No. 359 and 360 of 1900; and No. 363 of 1904.

MR. MACVEAGH

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that no public board in Ireland and nobody else can make head or tail of these Orders? Will he consider the propriety of issuing them in a form more easily understood? There are about 600 of them.

MR. ATKINSON

was understood to reply that they were clear.

MR. DELANY (Queen's County, Ossory)

Has any public body approved them?

MR. ATKINSON

Yes, Sir.