HC Deb 26 February 1885 vol 294 c1403
MR. MAYNE

asked the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, If he is aware that the clerk of the Roscrea Union, acting as returning officer, refuses to permit the National candidates to be present at the examination of the voting papers at elections for Poor Law Guardians in his Union, giving no reason to them for his so doing, but merely a point blank refusal; whether Article 20 of the Local Government Board's Circular, dated 16th January 1863. directs that clerks of Unions, before excluding either candidates or their proposers from the examination of voting papers, should be prepared to show some urgent reason for taking a step which "would seem to be unnecessary and unreasonable;" whether this gentleman has furnished the Local Government Board with any urgent or sufficient reason for his so excluding the National candidates; and, whether, in the absence of any such urgent reason for their exclusion, the Local Government Board will direct this returning officer to admit such of the candidates and their proposers as desire it to be present at the examination of the voting papers at the present and future elections?

MR. CAMPBELL-BANNERMAN

No complaints on this subject have recently reached the Local Government Board, who, in March of last year, pointed out to the Returning Officer what his duty is in such cases? The Board have no reason to suppose that the Returning Officer acts in opposition to their views as there given; but if it is shown that he does so, they will be prepared to give the case further consideration.