§ Mr. NANNETTIasked the Chief Secretary whether he is aware that the guardians of the North Dublin Union have been surcharged by the auditor of the Local Government Board for granting outdoor relief to Mrs. Devlin, the youngest of whose children is only four months old; whether he is aware that the circumstances 1511 under which this relief was granted were that the husband was imprisoned for a month, leaving the family absolutely destitute; that the guardians dealt with the case as one of sudden emergency and continued the relief during the short period of imprisonment; and whether, seeing that if they had taken what the auditor said was the legal course the cost to the ratepayers would have been greater, he proposes to allow the surcharge to stand?
§ Mr. BIRRELLThe Local Government Board have not had occasion to investigate this case as no appeal was made to them, but they understand that portion of the amount surcharged has already been paid. As regards the concluding portion of the question I would point out that the Board have no jurisdiction respecting surcharges save when appeals are made to them.
§ Mr. NANNETTIIf an appeal is made in this case will the right hon. Gentleman see that the surcharge is removed? May I also ask the right hon. Gentleman if he is aware that the family relieved, six in number, only received 4s. 6d. per week to keep them; and whether he is aware that the mother of the family had a baby four months old?
§ Mr. BIRRELLWell, Sir, I cannot answer the last part of the question.
§ Mr. NANNETTIIf I supply the right hon. Gentleman with information dealing with this case will he inquire into it and see that justice is done to the relieving officer?
§ Mr. BIRRELLIf the hon. Gentleman will supply me with the facts of the case of course I will look into it. With regard to the appeal, if an appeal is made justice will be done.