§ MR. MACVEAGHI beg to ask the Secretary to the Treasury whether the Treasury has power to call for detailed accounts of the transactions of the Lough Neagh Drainage Trustees and to audit them; and, if so, whether he can state when the detailed accounts were last submitted and audited.
§ *THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY OF THE TREASURY (Mr. VICTOR CAVENDISH, Derbyshire, W.)The Treasury does not possess the power referred to.
§ MR. MACVEAGHHas the Treasury no power to call for these accounts?
§ *MR. VICTOR CAVENDISHNo, Sir.
§ MR. MACVEAGHAnd no power at all over the trustees?
§ [No Answer was returned.]
§ MR. MACVEAGHI beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether, seeing that, by the 1210 terms of the trust, the Lough Neagh Drainage Trustees are required, as a precedent to suing for rates, to obtain from the Rolls Court a certified copy of the rate struck, he will say whether any such certified copy has been at any time issued by the Rolls Court; and, if so, when.
§ *MR. VICTOR CAVENDISHThe Board of Works are unaware whether any such certified copy has been issued.
§ MR. MACVEAGHHas the Treasury any power to compel the trustees to carry out the terms of their trust?
§ *MR. VICTOR CAVENDISHI think the hon. Member is confusing the Board of Works with the Drainage Trustees?
§ MR. MACVEAGHHas the Board of Works any jurisdiction over the trustees?
§ *MR. VICTOR CAVENDISHI think not.
§ MR. MACVEAGHI beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether he can state when the statutory obligations imposed upon the Lough Neagh Drainage Trustees with regard to the publication of their accounts, the lodging with certain clerks of the peace and with the Rolls Court of a copy of the rate struck, and the laying before this House every year of a detailed statement of their income and expenditure, were last discharged.
§ *MR. VICTOR CAVENDISHThis Question refers to the legal obligations of the trustees, on which the Government have no authority to advise.
§ MR. T. W. RUSSELL (Tyrone, S.)When will the hon. Gentleman be able to answer the latter part of the Question?
§ *MR. VICTOR CAVENDISHI hope I may be able to do so to-morrow.
§ MR. MACVEAGHI beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether he can state the number of the Lough Neagh Drainage Trustees, and how many of them are 1211 land agents; and whether their accounts are subject to publicity or audit.
§ *MR. VICTOR CAVENDISHThe number of trustees is fifteen. I have no information as to how many of them are land agents.
§ MR. MACVEAGHI will put the latter part of the Question down to-morrow. But I would ask how this body is enabled to levy rates if nobody has control over it?
§ *MR. VICTOR CAVENDISHThe obligation is placed on them by statute.
§ MR. FLAVIN (Kerry, N.)Who has the appointment of the trustees?
§ MR. SPEAKERNotice must be given of any further Questions.
§ MR. MACVEAGHI beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether he is aware that legal proceedings for the recovery of rates have been instituted by the Lough Neagh Drainage Trustees against numerous ratepayers; and whether, in view of the failure of the trustees to fulfil their statutory obligation to lodge with the clerks of the peace for five counties and with the Rolls Court a copy of the rate struck, he will require the trustees to fulfil these obligations before continuing the legal proceedings.
§ MR. VICTOR CAVENDISHThe Board of Works have no official information that any legal proceedings have been instituted. There are statements in the public Press to that effect.
§ MR. MACVEAGHI shall put the latter part of this Question down again to-morrow.