§ 74. Mr. Garro Jonesasked the Lord Advocate whether he proposes to take any, and if so, what, action upon the 1919 breach which has been brought to his notice of Section 98 of the Town Councils Act, 1900?
§ The Lord AdvocateNo, Sir. If the provisions of the Section have not been observed in the case to which the hon. Member refers, I have no power to intervene.
§ Mr. Garro JonesIs it then the case that municipal bodies all over the country can carry out actions which are ultra vires and result in great loss to the ratepayers, and that he must watch these things and take no action whatever?
§ The Lord AdvocateThis is the first occasion, as far as I know, on which any question has been raised with regard to Section 98 of the Town Councils Act, 1900. I should have thought that there were powers under the existing law to prevent any abuses that might arise.
§ Mr. Garro JonesWill the right hon. and learned Gentleman either take steps to give himself the powers which he states he lacks, or make some public statement to indicate to the ratepayers that the remedy resides in action by them?