Commander LOCKER - LAMPSONasked the Minister of Health whether his attention has been called to the evidence in the trial at the Manchester Assizes last week (3rd and 4th December) of the chief cashier of the city of Salford for falsification of accounts, regarding borrowing from the money of the corporation by responsible officials, and, as alleged, by one of the then councillors, and to the statement by Mr. Justice Macnaghten, in passing sentence of one year's imprisonment in the second division, that he took into account the laxity of the council's audit; and whether he proposes to consult with and/or advise the city council as to the necessity of fuller investigation of all the circumstances and of audit in accordance with the requirements of the Department?
§ Mr. GREENWOODMy attention has been drawn to the case referred to. I understand that the falsifications in question occurred in the accounts which are audited in the manner provided for in the Municipal Corporations Act, 1882, that is to say, by the mayor's auditor and the elective auditors, and by the professional auditors appointed under the Salford Corporation Act, 1920, and not in any of the accounts of the corporation which are subject to district audit. In the circumstances I have no authority to intervene in the matter.