asked the President of the Local Government Board, If he can state approximately the total amount of indebtedness of local authorities on the latest day up to which the accounts are made up?

Sir, my hon. Friend is aware that the information he desires is compiled from Returns furnished under statute by the various local authorities of the country, many of whom are not subject to the control of the Government. The Returns for the year ending June, 1875, have been received and are in process of tabulation, and in the course of a week I shall be able to state the result. I think it will be more satisfactory that I should give an accurate statement a week hence rather than an approximate statement at this moment.