DR. CAMERONasked the Lord Advocate, Whether his attention has been called to the allegations contained in The West Lothian Courier of April 25th, that public houses were engaged, and "free tables" established, for the promotion of the interests of certain candidates at the recent election of the Shotts School Board, and that "as much as five shillings was offered to certain voters for their votes;" and, whether, in view of the numerous complaints as to bribery and treating at School Board elections that have recently appeared in the 1829 Scotch Press, he will consider the propriety of extending the provisions of the Corrupt Practices Acts to School Board elections at as early a date as possible?
THE LORD ADVOCATE (Mr. J. B. BALFOUR.)I have seen the letters in The West Lothian Courier. On inquiry I can find no confirmation of the statements that public-houses were engaged and free tables established in the interests of the candidates, and I have not learned of any instance in which money was offered for a vote. The only foundation for the last statement which I have been able to trace is that in the case of two miners who were asked to assist one of the candidates in his election, 1s. or 2s. were given to the children of each of them. It appears, however, that certain of the candidates treated the voters to drink. The instances which have recently been brought to light appear to me to establish the necessity for extending the Parliamentary Elections (Corrupt and Illegal Practices) Acts to School Board elections in Scotland; and, as I think I have already mentioned, a Bill is in preparation which will extend those Acts to such elections, as well as to municipal elections. We cannot hope to pass the Bill this Session; but the School Board elections will not recur for three years.