§ DR. TANNER(for Mr. J. O'CONNOR) (Tipperary, S.)asked the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, Whether there are sufficient police in the Killavullen Police District to distribute the voting papers for the election of Poor Law Guardians to the Mallow Union; whether the Mouanimy Division was the only one so attended to at the last election, when the police did not allow sufficient time for the delivery of the post containing the votes of distant electors, and otherwise displayed negligence in the collection of votes by passing the houses of voters if their doors happened to be closed at the time of their calling; and, whether he will give instructions to the police to extend the time of collection until 10 p.m., as is done in other districts, and to exercise greater diligence in the collection of the voting papers from the residents in the locality?
§ THE CHIEF SECRETARY (Mr. A. J. BALFOUR) (Manchester, E.)The Local Authorities of the Mallow Union have made their own arrangements for the distribution of the voting papers, and they have not reported to the Local Government Board what agents they are employing. I am not aware that any question as to the sufficiency of police has been raised. I am informed that, at the election last year, they were employed only in the Electoral Division named in the Question, and that they discharged the duty satisfactorily, so far as is known to the Local Government Board. One individual complaint with regard to the collection of a voting paper was made, but, on consideration, was not found to affect the vote. I see no reason arising out of these circumstances to give any special instructions to the police.
§ DR. TANNERWill the right hon. Gentleman answer that part of the Question which says the police did not allow time for posting the papers?
§ MR. A. J. BALFOURwe have no ground for believing that the state of things ever occurred.