HC Deb 14 March 1911 vol 22 cc2195-6W
Mr. HACKETT

asked the Chief Secretary whether he is aware that a deputation of the Slievardagh Ratepayers' Protection Association appeared before the Local Government Board auditor, at Callan workhouse, on 29th November, 1910, and lodged objections in writing against several items of the accounts of the Callan Union for the half-year ending 31st March, 1910; whether he can state the reasons why a copy of the auditor's decisions upon the objections was not furnished to the Slievardagh Ratepayers' Protection Association, or to the members of the deputation, as provided for by Article 35 of the Union Accounts Order, 1905; whether the Local Government Board have directed the clerk of the Callan Union to comply with the requirements of Article 35 of the Union Accounts Order, 1905, as requested by the Slievardagh Ratepayers' Association in their resolution of the 6th ultimo, in order to enable the members of the association to appeal against the decision of the Local Government Board auditor, in accordance with the provisions of Article 39 of the Union Accounts Order, 1905?

Mr. BIRRELL

Written objections were lodged by a deputation at the audit of accounts in the circumstances mentioned. The Clerk of the Union did not comply strictly with the terms of the Union Accounts Order, but he informs the Local Government Board that three of the six-members of the deputation, being Guardians, heard the auditor's report read at the meeting of the Guardians, that a fourth member read it for himself shortly afterwards, and that the remaining members saw it in the local papers. The Clerk has now sent a copy of the report to each member of the deputation.