§ MR. HUNTI beg to ask the President of the Local Government Board whether a payment for insuring a parish council clerk or an assistant overseer against accident under the Workmen's Compensation Act would be passed by the Local Government Board auditor or allowed by the Local Government Board; and whether a rate, exceeding the statutory limit of 6d. in 534 the pound, could be levied to discharge a liability under the Workmen's Compensation Act to such person or persons or their dependents, or out of what fund, if any, would compensation be payable.
§ MR. JOHN BURNSIf any charge appeared in the accounts of a parish council in respect of the insurance against accident of an assistant overseer who was also their clerk, the auditor would have to consider whether the charge was legal. I cannot say what view he might take in any particular case, and I should have no jurisdiction in the matter except on an appeal against his decision. I may, however, state that, as at present advised, it does not appear to me, speaking generally, that the parish council would be liable to pay compensation under the Act in such a case as that referred to. There is no provision in the Act to authorise the levy of a rate by the parish council in excess of the statutory limit.