§ MR. HEALYasked the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, Whether his attention has been called to the provisions of section eighty-three of the Irish Poor Relief Act (1 and 2 Vic. c. 56), giving the Poor Law Commissioners (now the Irish Local Government Board) complete discretion as to the manner in which the voting at Poor Law elections should be carried on; and, whether, having regard to his expressed intention to introduce the ballot system in such elections by legislation (fresh legislation on the subject, in consequence of the section in question, being unnecessary), the Local Government Board intend to vary their present Order regulating procedure at Poor Law elections, so as to have future elections carried on by ballot?
§ MR. TREVELYANSir, the words of Section 83 of the Act relating to the election of Guardians are—"The votes shall be given and taken in writing." The Local Government Board do not consider that a vote by ballot is given in writing within the meaning of the section, and the Local Government Board, therefore, have no power to vary their Order.
§ MR. HEALYThe right hon. Gentleman has intimated his intention of dealing with the question of ballot at Poor Law elections. When will the Bill be proceeded with?
§ MR. TREVELYANwas understood to say that he could not state at present.