HC Deb 17 August 1916 vol 85 cc2077-8W
Sir W. NUGENT

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland if he will grant the Return standing in the name of the hon. Member for South Westmeath? [Return giving particulars of the annual Local Government Board expenditure in county Westmeath.]

Mr. DUKE

None of the officers mentioned has his duties confined to county Westmeath, and it is therefore impossible to segregate the expenditure for that county as desired.

Sir W. NUGENT

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland the cause of the increase in the estimate for Local Government Board expenditure in Ireland for the cur- rent year over the preceding year; and whether, in view of the burden now placed on all ratepayers, he will investigate what economies may be made in the administration of the Irish Local Government Department during the period of the War?

Mr. DUKE

I would draw the attention of the hon. Member to the Memorandum on the Estimates for Civil Services by the Financial Secretary to the Treasury, which shows that there would have been a saving of over £4,700 on the Vote of the Local Government Board if it had not been for the new Grants for child welfare. The question of economies in the Local Government Board was given most careful and anxious consideration, with the result that the cost of the Department was reduced by this sum of £4,700 a year above referred to. This saving was effected by a reduction of inspectors, engineers, and clerical staff.