§ 69. Mr. BOWERMANasked the President of the Local Government Board whether he has received a communication from the Deptford Borough Council on the subject of the balances held by the guardians of the Greenwich Union, which are alleged to be excessive; and whether, having regard to the need for economy and the calls made on the ratepayers at the present time, he is prepared to institute an inquiry into the guardians' accounts, dealing more particularly with the amounts of the balances remaining in the guardians' hands from time to time?
§ Mr. HAYES FISHERMy right hon. Friend has received the communication to which the hon. Member refers, and has brought the matter to the notice of the guardians. Their accounts are scrutinised at the periodical audits held by the district auditor, and I see no advantage in directing a special inquiry into the subject. There is no reason to suppose that the guardians desire to retain balances in excess of their possible requirements, or that the balances generally held by them have been excessive, when account is taken of the liabilities outstanding and of the amount of the balance represented by necessary stores in hand.