Captain CRAIGasked the Chief Secretary whether it has been brought to his notice that certain surcharges made by the auditor of the Local Government Board in Ireland on the audit of the accounts of the Ballinasloe Union against certain members of the board of guardians have not been repaid; and if it is the intention of the Local Government Board to take any action as regards these surcharges and other irregularities discovered in the administration of local funds by this board?
§ Mr. BIRRELLIn connection with the audit of the accounts of the Ballinasloe Board of Guardians for the half-year ended 31st March, 1913, the only surcharge made by the auditor was one amounting to £1 10s., which was upheld by the Local Government Board on appeal and duly paid. At the recent audit of the accounts for the half-year ended 30th September, 1913, surcharges amounting in all to £9 4s. 9d. were made by the auditor. Appeals have been lodged with the Local Government Board against these surcharges and are at present under consideration.