§ MR. SLACK (Hertfordshire, St. Albans)I beg to ask the President of the Local Government Board whether his attention has been called to the irregularities in the municipal government of the metropolitan borough of Holborn, and whether, although a committee of inquiry has been appointed by the borough council, the Local Government Board will be prepared to investigate and conduct a public inquiry into a matter of such great and general public interest.
§ THE PRESIDENT OF THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT BOARD (Mr. GERALD BALFOUR,) Leeds, CentralI am aware of the irregularities in the accounts of some of the officers of the borough council, and I have seen the reports of the district auditor on the subject. The audit is still proceeding, and at the present time I have no authority to direct an inquiry in relation to the irregularities referred to.
§ MR. SLACKIs it possible to arrange that two or three representatives of the Local Government Board should take part in the inquiry now proceeding?
§ MR. GERALD BALFOURIf the borough council make application to that effect I shall be glad to consider it.