§ MR. PICKERSGILLI beg to ask the President of the Local Government Board whether his attention has been drawn to a statement given in evidence 1364 at the Poplar inquiry that the accounts of the Poor Law Guardians of Poplar had been regularly audited by Government auditors, and that on no occasion had they drawn attention to any contract or price as improper or improvident; and whether he will consider the advisability of securing a more efficient audit by auditors instructed to call attention to such matters as part of their duty.
§ MR. JOHN BURNSI understand that a statement to the effect referred to was made at the inquiry. I propose to consider whether any further instructions should be given to the auditors, together with other matters arising out of the inquiry, when the Report of the Inspector has been received.