§ MR. H. CAMPBELL (Fermanagh, S.)asked the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, Whether it is the practice for Clerks of Unions in Ireland to serve the requisition forms under the Representation of the People Act (Ireland) by post instead of through the rate collectors; and, whether this practice is legal; and, if not, whether he will cause it to be discontinued?
§ THE CHIEF SECRETARY (Mr. A. J. BALFOUR) (Manchester, E.),in reply, said, he had not had sufficient time to inquire whether it was the practice of Clerks of Unions, as alleged, to serve requisitions through the post, nor could he say that such practice, if in vogue, was illegal. He was not aware there were any grounds for the statement that the practice was illegal.
§ MR. EDWARD HARRINGTON (Kerry, W.)asked the right hon. Gentleman, did he remember that he was the President of the Local Government Board, to whose jurisdiction Clerks were subjected?
§ MR. A. J. BALFOURsaid, that the fact of his being President of the Local Government Board did not confer on him power to express an opinion on the illegality of the practice.