§ Mr. CONDONasked the Chief Secretary whether he is aware that the guardians of the Callan union have asked the Local Government Board to direct the holding of a sworn inquiry into the management and expenditure of the Callan Union for the two years previous to 30th September, 1909, and also requested the Local Government Board to sanction the payment by them of a chartered accountant to make an investigation; and if he will say why the Local Government Board declines to facilitate the board of guardians in making a full and searching investigation of the cause for the large increase for those years in estimates and expenditure by the officials responsible?
§ Mr. BIRRELLThe guardians of the Callan Union have made the requests mentioned by the hon. Member, but the Local Government Board have not declined to facilitate the guardians in the matter. The Board were advised that the cost of employing a chartered accountant as proposed would not be a legal charge on the rates, and they felt bound to inform the guardians accordingly. The Board are still in communication with the guardians as to the scope of the proposed inquiry.