§ 5. Mr. MAURICE HEALYasked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether the Local Government Board for Ireland, having had under their consideration the resolution of the Cork County Council, passed on the 25th March last, increasing the wages of labourers employed by the council under direct labour by 3s. a week and in the case of horse owners by 2s. per day in consequence of the increased cost of living resulting from the War, have intimated to the council that they must be prepared to satisfy the auditor that the increase was fair and proper; 775 whether this communication has prevented the council from acting on their resolution, the members being apprehensive of being surcharged; whether there is any objection to the increase of wages proposed by the council assuming it to be granted bonâ fide on the grounds specified, namely, because of the cost of living; and whether, if not, the Local Government Board will make it clear to the council that the resolution which they have passed is within their powers?
§ Mr. BIRRELLThe Local Government Board, on the 21st April last, informed the Cork County Council in reply to the resolution referred to in the question that the Board in existing circumstances would not interfere with the discretion of the County Council in the matter of granting a reasonable increase of wages to men employed under direct labour schemes in the county, but that should any question be raised at audit the council should be prepared to satisfy the auditor that the actual increase of wages granted in any case was fair and reasonable having regard to the conditions affecting employment in the county. The council appear to be doubtful whether even with the Board's sanction they can legally give an increase of wages under a direct labour scheme during the time it is in force, and it is more probable this advice that deters the council from acting on their original resolution to increase wages. The Board have been advised in a similar case that if the rural district councils agree to pass the necessary supplemental proposals to meet any expenditure in addition to that already authorised under the direct labour scheme caused by the increase of wages, the county council may pay additional wages to their workmen. The Board have so informed the county council, and it is for that body to decide whether they will act on the advice given. The Board are precluded from interfering in any way with the auditor in determining at audit the legality or otherwise of payments made by the council unless and until an appeal is lodged with them against any allowance or surcharge made by that officer. Such appeal, however, may be made by persons aggrieved to the Court of King's Bench in lieu of to the Board.
§ Mr. MAURICE HEALYDoes not the right hon. Gentleman recognise that an intimation by the Local Government Board to the members of the county council that 776 they would have to justify their action before the auditor was highly calculated to deter them from adhering to their original resolution?
§ Mr. BIRRELLI do not think it was for one moment suggested that it would be called to account by the auditor. There is a general impression in Ireland that the Local Government Board can control its auditor. That it cannot do. Therefore it is essential it should be understood that although the Board might be quite willing that a thing should be done it might be called in question by the auditor.