§ MR. P. STANHOPE (Wednesbury)asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department, Whether his attention has been called to the meeting of the Walsall Primrose League on 26th April last, at which statements were authoritatively made by Lady Sawyer, in reference to the Habitation of the Primrose League of the Ladywood District of Birmingham—namely, that— 353
In connection with her Habitation there was also a sewing society which made up garments which were distributed to the very poor of the town through the visitors,and that, as a consequence,this Habitation had been engaged in three contests already, and had been successful in each;and, whether, in view of these statements, he will direct inquiries to be made as to the legality of the operations of the Primrose League Habitation of the Ladywood District of Birmingham, in connection with the three elections referred to?
§ THE UNDER SECRETARY OF STATE (Mr. STUART-WORTLEY) (Sheffield, Hallam)(who replied) said: The Secretary of State has seen no report of the proceedings referred to or of the statements quoted. The Secretary of State does not consider it to be within the province of the Home Department to institute inquiries into alleged malpractices in connection with elections, for which the law provides a sufficient remedy.