§ MR. HAYDEN (Roscommon, S.)I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether he is aware that the county council of Roscommon has passed a resolution in favour of changing the date of the termination of the financial year for the purpose of local government in Ireland from 31st March to 31st December, that this resolution has been adopted by several other Irish county councils, and that the Local Government Board has declared this change can be effected only by an Act of Parliament; and, if so, whether he is prepared to introduce the legislation necessary to give effect to the views of the public bodies entrusted with the duties of local administration.
§ THE CHIEF SECRETARY FOR IRELAND (Mr. BRYCE,) Aberdeen, S.The facts are as stated in the Question, The financial half-years of county and district councils are fixed as terminating on 30th September and 31st March by the Local Government (Ireland) Act 1898, and the Privy Council orders made there-under, and an alteration of these dates could only be effected by legislation. The Local Government Board are not 513 aware that any useful purpose would be served by a change of date.