§ MR. WILLIAM O'BRIEN (Cork)I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether the Local Government Board has issued a sealed order surcharging Members of the Cork Corporation for the cost of cabling the condolences of the Lord Mayor and Corporation of Cork to the Mayor of San Francisco on the destruction of the greater part of the latter city by earthquake; and whether, as head of the Local Government Board, he will take steps to prevent any such further breach of international courtesy and interference with the rights of Irish municipalities.
§ MR. BIRRELLThe answer to the first part of the Question is in the affirmative. Local authorities are prohibited by statute from defraying any such expenditure out of the rates, and the Local Government Board are obliged to see that the law is carried out.
§ MR. WILLIAM O'BRIENIs there any such thing known in an English municipality?
§ MR. BIRRELLI imagine it would be.
§ MR. MOONEY (Newry)Has it not been the practice of the English Local Government Board to insist on the inclusion of a clause in every private Bill going into this House giving this power to municipalities?
§ MR. BIRRELLI am not aware of it.