Sir F. HALLasked the Minister of Health whether his attention has been called to the recent decision of the Hull City Council granting its members free passes to travel on local tramcars and omnibuses; whether the practice of local authorities voting themselves privileges of this nature at the expense of the ratepayers is approved of by the Ministry; and whether, in view of the possibility of arrangements of this kind extending to other public services, he will consider as to circularising local authorities on the matter?
§ Mr. WHEATLEYI have no information as to the decision referred to by the hon. and gallant Member, as the general accounts of the Hull City Council are not subject to Government audit, and in the absence of such information I do not think it would be proper for me to express an opinion as to the propriety of their action. In reply to the latter part of the question, I should doubt whether there is any occasion to circularise local authorities on this matter.