HL Deb 25 July 1898 vol 62 cc985-7
*VISCOUNT DE VESCI

I wish to ask the noble Lord the Lord Chancellor of Ireland at what time of the year, and how often, will district councils and boards of guardians have to furnish their estimates to the county councils. I have had 22 years' exerience as chairman of a board of guardians, and we have found it exceedingly difficult to get the estimates prepared in the proper time. I think it would be of assist- ance to us if the noble and learned Lord could give some idea as to what the prescribed rules will be.

*THE LORD CHANCELLOR OF IRELAND

The rules and regulations will be prescribed at once by the Local Government Board. I may say that the Local Government Board have been applying themselves with great vigour and energy to the preparation of these rules and regulations. I do not know the details, but so far as I am aware there will be two occasions in the year when the estimates will be sent in by the district councils and the boards of guardians, and they will be gone into in due course by the county council, who will therefore have an opportunity twice a year of considering the amount needed. Of course, these are matters not contained in detail in the Bill. It would have added enormously to the already very long Bill to have embodied these rules in clauses.

*VISCOUNT DE VESCI

Is there any reason why the dates should not be included in the Bill?

*THE LORD CHANCELLOR OF IRELAND

I am informed that it is intended that the estimates should be furnished twice by the district council and the board of guardians to the county council, and the county council will have an opportunity twice of considering the amount that is needed. This is not put in the Bill in mercy to your Lordships and the other House of Parliament. It would make the Bill a never-ending Bill. It already contains 120 clauses, and deals with topics that were dealt with by two bills for England and two Bills for Scotland. It was thought more convenient to leave to the Lord Lieutenant and the Privy Council the working out of certain matters, and to the Local Government Board the working out of regulations that convenience might suggest.

*THE EARL OF MAYO

The Local Government Board are to settle the divisions in the financial year?

*THE LORD CHANCELLOR OF IRELAND

Yes.

Question put— That clauses 6 and 7 stand part of the Bill.

Motion agreed to.

Forward to