§ MR. BARKER (Penryn and Falmouth)I beg to ask the President of the Local Government Board if he has decided upon what action he will take in insisting on the Greenwich Board of Guardians carrying out the decision of the Local Government Board with reference to the increase in the salaries of the engineers at the Grove Park Workhouse; and if he is aware that the Report sent with reference to the irregular disposition of stores at this workhouse is not the Report of the original Committee that dealt with this Question.
§ MR. JOHN BURNSNo sanction on the part of the Local Government Board was necessary to enable the guardians to pay the increased salaries to these officers out of their own funds. The object in applying for the Board's sanction was to enable the guardians to obtain repayment of the amount from the Metropolitan Common Poor Fund, but, as sanction was not given, no such repayment will be made. I am aware that two Committees reported to the guardians with reference to the irregular disposal of stores at the workhouse. The officers in question appear to have improperly received meals from the stores, and I have expressed regret that their salaries should have been increased a few months after this was discovered. I have added that I think the guardians should consider whether the additional payments should not be discontinued.
§ MR. CROOKS (Woolwich)In the event of the money being voted out of the local rates the Local Government Board will have power to surcharge it?
§ MR. JOHN BURNSNot necessarily.