§ MR. BARKER (Penryn and Falmouth)I beg to ask the President of the Local Government Board whether he is prepared to order a Departmental 869 Inquiry into the system of keeping and auditing municipal accounts, including the Poor Law.
§ MR. JOHN BURNSThe system of keeping the accounts of the various Local Authorities in England and Wales is now being investigated by a Departmental Committee, and the audit of the accounts of Poor Law Authorities is a matter coming within the purview of the Royal Commission who are inquiring into the working of the Poor Law. I am considering the question of the audit of the accounts of town councils, but I am not at present prepared to appoint a Departmental Committee on the subject.