§ SIR ROBERT HOBART (Hampshire, New Forest)I beg to ask the President of the Local Government Board whether his attention has been drawn to the interim report of Mr. A. Carson Roberts, 1254 district auditor of the metropolitan boroughs, upon certain contracts made by; the Council of the City of Westminster, containing grave charges against their inefficient administration during the last financial year; and whether he will cause an immediate searching inquiry to be made by his Department into a matter that so seriously concerns the ratepayers in the City of Westminster.
§ MR. JOHN BURNSI have seen the auditor's report. The jurisdiction of the Local Government Board in relation to the matters referred to in it would arise out of any appeal to them against the auditor's decision in respect of any allowance, disallowance, or surcharge in connection with them. I understand that the auditor has given notice to the members of the Council concerned to show cause why a surcharge should not be made in this case, but that the audit is not yet completed. I am, therefore, not at present in a position to interfere, but in the event of an appeal of the kind I have mentioned being made, I will give consideration to the suggestion in the Question.
§ In reply to a further Question,
§ MR. BURNSsaid he believed the hearing of the Council's case before the auditor would be taken on the following Wednesday.