§ Mr. LANSBURYasked the Home Secretary whether he is aware that in various towns and districts of the country men who act as town councillors also act as coroners, and, as a consequence, in cases where death is caused through conditions arising from residence in overcrowded slum areas the coroner who is also a town councillor is, in effect, holding an inquiry as to conditions for which he as a councillor is
1952Wture on maintaining and improving roads of all classes in England and Wales, showing the amount provided out of the Road Fund and from other sources and the amount raised by local rates for the years 1913–14, 1917–18, 1919–20, 1920–21, 1921–22, 1922–23, and 1923–24; and whether, as the total figure of 41½ millions for the year 1921–22 was made up as to 27.2 per cent. from the Road Fund, the whole of the rest of the cost falling upon the local rates, he will consider the recommendation in the Report of the Committee on National Expenditure, page 123, that the vicious results of the percentage grant system shall be terminated forthwith?
§ Colonel ASHLEYI would refer my hon. and gallant Friend to the table which follows. I regret that figures for the year 1917–18 are not available as no returns for that year were published. As regards the last part of the question, I would point out that the recommendation to which he refers was not made in relation to the administration of the Road Fund:
partly responsible; and whether, in. view of this, he will in any future legislation dealing with coroners make it a condition that these officers shall not be eligible for membership of a local health authority for the area in which they act as coroner?
§ Sir W. JOYNSON-HICKSI would refer the hon. Member to Clause 1, sub-Clauses (2) and (3), of the Coroners (Amendment) Bill, which has been introduced in another place and has been circulated.