HC Deb 19 December 1888 vol 332 cc802-3
MR. HANDEL COSSHAM (Bristol, E.)

asked the President of the Local Government Board, Whether the legal agent of a candidate for the County Council is qualified to be appointed Presiding Officer at the County Council election; and, whether there is any provision in the Local Government Act to prevent active partisans of either of the candidates being eligible to be appointed as Presiding Officer at the election?

THE PRESIDENT (Mr. RITCHIE) (Tower Hamlets, St. George's)

The provisions of the Ballot Act are made applicable to elections of County Councillors by Section 75 of the Local Government Act, and Section 58 Sub-section 1 of the Municipal Corporations Act. Rule 49 in the Ballot Act provides that no person shall be appointed by a Re- turning Officer for the purposes of an election who has been employed by any other person in or about the election. I have no reason to doubt that the Returning Officers will act with due discretion in the appointment of Presiding Officers.

    c803
  1. BUSINESS OF THE HOUSE (WEDNESDAY SITTINGS). 20 words