§ MR. T. A. DICKSONasked Mr. Solicitor General for Ireland, Whether, having regard to the increased duties and the difficulties in performing them within the limited period allowed by law, any extension of time will be granted to the clerks of the peace and clerks of unions for carrying out the work cast upon them in reference to the Registration of Voters during the present year; if the necessary precepts will or can be issued in anticipation of the Registration Bill becoming law and thereby follow the course adopted at the passing of the Ballot Act; and, whether any steps will be taken to insure at an early date the performance of the duties and the service of the notices required by section nine of "The Representation of the People Act, 1884?"
§ THE SOLICITOR GENERAL FOR IRELAND (Mr. WALKER)If necessary an extension of time will be granted; but I hope that the duties will be promptly taken up by these officers, and that an extension of time will not be necessary. Inquiries will be made as to the course adopted when the Ballot Act was passed. Steps are being taken to call the attention of the officers to the necessity of issuing notices under the 9th section early in April.
§ MR. T. P. O'CONNORHas the hon. and learned Gentleman seen that in England and Scotland they have raised the number of officers? Will the same thing be carried out in Ireland?
§ THE SOLICITOR GENERAL FOR IRELAND (Mr. WALKER)was understood to reply in the affirmative.