HC Deb 06 December 1934 vol 295 cc1808-9
20. Sir WALDRON SMITHERS

asked the Minister of Health whether he will introduce legislation to amend Section 226 (1) of the Local Government Act, 1933, so that the right of objection to an audit is not confined to local government electors of the district whose accounts are the subject of audit?

Sir H. YOUNG

No, Sir. I do not propose to introduce legislation on the lines suggested.

Sir W. SMITHERS

Will my right hon. Friend say why any restrictions should be placed on any person who wishes to expose dishonest methods of local government?

Sir H. YOUNG

It is a reasonable provision to secure businesslike procedure that there should be a direct interest.

Mr. MORGAN JONES

Is there any widespread dishonesty in the public service of this country at all, as this question seems to infer?

Sir H. YOUNG

It is quite unnecessary to suggest that.

Sir W. SMITHERS

Hear, hear!

25. Mr. MANDER

asked the Minister of Health whether, arising from the report on an extraordinary audit, any further proceedings are contemplated either in Poplar or elsewhere other than the civil actions by the Poplar Borough Council against coal merchants?

Sir H. YOUNG

I understand that, on the information before them, neither the Director of Public Prosecutions nor the Poplar Borough Council are contemplating further criminal proceedings in this case.