HC Deb 15 March 1883 vol 277 c552
MR. MOLLOY

asked the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, Whether a returning officer to a Poor Law Union has any power to prevent a solicitor, representing candidates seeking election as guardians of the poor, being present at the counting of the votes given at such election?

MR. TREVELYAN

Under the General Orders of the Local Government Board, which have been in force for the last 20 years, a returning officer has a discretion as to the admission or exclusion of strangers on such occasions. I do not understand that the candidate or his proposers were excluded on this occasion, however. A complaint has been made to the Local Government Board that in a recent case in the King's County the returning officer declined to admit a solicitor, and the Board have asked him to state the reasons which influenced him in so doing.