§ 58. Mr. CARR-GOMMasked the President of the Local Government Board whether the Local Government Board Auditor has been consulted by the Metropolitan Water Board with reference to the existing deficit in the finances of that body; whether he is aware that this deficit now amounts to £210,000; and whether he can state what was the opinion of his Auditor as to the policy of the Metropolitan Water Board in the matter and the proposals made to meet the present state of affairs?
§ Mr. BURNSI may remark that it is not part of the functions of the District Auditor to advise the Water Board on questions of policy. I am informed by the District Auditor that he has not been formally consulted by the Water Board with reference to the matter referred to, but that it has been the subject of discussion between himself and officers and members of the Water Board. The Auditor, in reports to the Water Board on his audit, had drawn attention to the increasing deficiency and the failure to issue precepts to the rating authorities or to take other steps to remove it. I am informed that the revenue deficiency amounted to nearly £210,000 at the end of the last financial year, and that the Water Board have now decided to issue precepts for the amount of the deficiency to the local authorities liable to contribute the amount.