HC Deb 28 July 1909 vol 8 cc1162-3
Mr. GINNELL

asked the Chief Secretary if he will say whether the refusal of the Local Government Board for Ireland to supply particulars of costs imposed upon ratepayers by wrong decisions of their auditors reversed on appeal is due to the number of such cases or to the absence of records; how any difficulty in the matter arises; whether the costs in such cases, or in any of them, occurring within the present year will be made available; and, if so, when?

Mr. BIRRELL

The information which the hon. Member requires could only be obtained by the courtesy of the local authorities, their solicitors, and the various persons affected by the surcharges. It would put them to trouble and expense in searching the records; and the cost would be out of all proportion to any possible value the return might have.