HC Deb 20 April 1885 vol 297 cc149-50
SIR HERBERT MAXWELL

asked the Lord Advocate, Whether he has considered the fact that, in Scotland, the expenses of Parliamentary candidates are now strictly limited by Act of Parliament, except in respect of the costs chargeable by returning officers, who are in the habit of employing advocates from Edinburgh as presiding officers, at a fee of £3 3s. each per diem (which, allowing one day for going and another for returning, amounts to £9 9s. for each presiding officer, with their travelling expenses in addition); and, whether, considering the additional expense entailed upon Parliamentary candidates by the increase in the number of polling stations, rendered necessary by the extended franchise, he will take into consideration whether sheriffs of counties may be directed to obtain competent presiding officers from sources which do not entail such heavy travelling expenses, and three days' remuneration of gentlemen for one day's work?

THE LORD ADVOCATE (Mr. J. B. BALFOUR)

The fees of presiding officers are limited by Section 16, Sub-section 5, of the Ballot Act of 1872, which provides that the fee to be paid to each presiding officer shall in no case exceed the sum of three guineas per day. I am under the impression that in some cases in which sheriffs employ gentlemen belonging to the locality to act as presiding officers complaint was made that they were connected with one or other of the political Parties there, and that it was suggested that it would be desirable to have for presiding officers gentlemen not having such local connection. I shall, however, communicate with the sheriffs on the subject, and I shall also be glad to learn from hon. Members from Scotland whether they consider that any further restriction could be placed upon the employment and payment of presiding officers consistently with obtaining the services of independent and duly-qualified men. It is to be kept in view that the extension of the hours of polling will make it more difficult than before for presiding officers to return to their homes at any considerable distance on the day of election.