§ MR. WILLIAM O'BRIEN (Tyrone, S.)asked the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, Whether the Clogher Board of Guardians have refused the Nationalist registration agent access to the rate books for registration purposes; and, if so, whether ho, as President of the Irish Local Government Board, will direct that equal facilities be given to the agents of both political parties?
§ THE CHIEF SECRETARY (Mr. JOHN MORLEY) (Newcastle-on-Tyne)It appears that this Board of Guardians have passed a resolution to the effect that the rate books shall not be open for the purposes of inspection or copying except at the time and in the manner provided by law. The law on the subject is laid down in Section 9 of 6 & 7 Vict. c. 92, and Section 21 of 12 & 13 Vict. c. 104; and so long as it is complied with the Local Government Board cannot interfere. A penalty is imposed on any person refusing to produce the rate books as required by law; and if this penalty is recovered against any Union officer, the Local Government Board might have to consider his conduct.