§ Order of the Day for the Second Reading read.
THE PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY OF THE MINISTRY OF HEALTH (THE EARL OF ONSLOW)My Lords, this is quite a short Bill. Its object is to save expenditure by substituting an annual for a half-yearly audit. It has been asked for by boards of guardians and rural district councils, and it is also applied to the overseers 877 of the poor, because their accounts are closely linked up with those of the other authorities. It is not anticipated that there will be any danger in the reform, as none has occurred in the system of annual audit followed by urban district councils and parish councils; but there is a provision for a special audit under Clause 2 should any occasion arise for it.
§ On Question, Bill read 2a, and committed to a Committee of the Whole House.