§ Mr. LANSBURYasked the President of the Local Government Board how many of the auditors appointed by his Board to audit the accounts of boards of guardians are, or ever have been, chartered accountants; and what are the qualifications which his Board consider essential before appointing individuals to these positions?
§ Mr. BURNSTo be qualified for appointment as an auditor or assistant auditor a person must be a barrister or solicitor, or a member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants or of the Society of Incorporated Accountants and Auditors, or have undergone a course of training with a district auditor, or have served in the Department of the Local Government Board. Of the present audit staff five are chartered accountants and one is a member of the Institute of Actuaries.
§ Mr. LANSBURYIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that it was stated at the Poor Law Commission that these appointments were made to small ability tempered by patronage?
§ Mr. BURNSI am pleased to say that during the last five years not one of these gentlemen has been appointed unless he had one of these three qualifications, and none will be appointed.