§ Mr. GINNELLasked whether, before Parliament was asked to vote more money for the Commissioners of Charitable Donations and Bequests for Ireland, that body would be required to present a report and abstract of accounts similar to those presented by other accounting bodies, and similarly accessible to Members of this House, showing the total value of money and other property that came under the control of the Commissioners in the last financial year, the total value of property dealt with by them within that year, and the actual market value of all the property and estimated value of all the securities held by them or under their control at the end of that year?
§ Mr. BIRRELLMy right hon. Friend the Secretary to the Treasury has asked me to answer this question. The money voted for the Commissioners of Charitable Donations and Bequests is for salaries, law costs, and incidental expenses, and is accounted for like any other Vote. The accounts of the funds lodged with the Commissioners for charitable purposes are duly audited, and a report of their proceedings is presented to Parliament each year as required by law. I have no power to alter the statutory obligations of the Commissioners in these matters.