§ Mr. BRACEasked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that the Brixham Urban District Council have entered into a contract with the Cadeby Main Colliery Company, Limited, for the supply of oil; whether he is aware that, although the ratepayer of a borough council has a legal right to inspect the minute-book of corporation proceedings, a ratepayer of an urban district council is not allowed to secure and disclose the terms of the oil contract made between the Cadeby Main Colliery Company and the Brigham Urban District Council; and, if so, whether he proposes to take any action in the matter?
§ Mr. BURNSI do not find that my attention has been called to the contract referred to, which does not require my approval. Under the provisions of Section 247 (4) of the Public Health Act, 1875, as applied to the accounts of an urban district council by Section 58 of the Local Government Act, 1894, a copy of the accounts,2690W together will all contracts mentioned or referred to therein, is required to be deposited in the office of the council and to be open to the inspection of all persons interested for seven clear days before the audit, and all such persons are at liberty to take copies of or extracts from the same without fee or reward. Any extension of this provision would necessitate legislation.