§ Mr. HAYDN JONESasked the President of the Board of Education whether, seeing that the Board is now claiming from the local education authorities in Wales the refund of moneys alleged to have been overpaid as far back as the year 1922–23, notwithstanding the fact that the accounts had been audited and certified as correct by the Government auditor, he will state how many years back the Board proposes to go in making demands of this nature?
§ Lord E. PERCYSuch retrospective adjustments are, I am afraid, an inevitable feature of the present system of grants. The position is that the audited accounts of local authorities may not reach my Department until as much as 18 months after the close of the year to which they relate. They have then to be examined in the Department in order that the final adjustment of grant may be settled, and, if it is found that the installments payable during the particular year have been overpaid, recovery is necessary.