MR. JUSTIN M'CARTHY (Londonderry City)asked the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, Whether his attention has been directed to any report of a discussion at the meeting of the Derry Board of Guardians last Saturday relating to the appointment of Mr. Samuel M'Dermott to assist the Clerk of the Union in the preparation of the voters' list for the registration; and, whether this Samuel M'Dermott is the Samuel M'Dermott who was employed as agent by the Conservative candidate at the last Derry election, and whom, on the trial of the Petition which followed, the Judges declared to have been guilty of illegal practices; and, if so, whether he will take any steps to prevent the employment of Mr. M'Dermott in the work of registration?
§ THE CHIEF SECRETARY (Mr. A. J. BALFOUR) (Manchester, E.)My attention has been directed to the subject 413 only through this Question, and I am at present unable to say whether the alleged discussion took place. I am, however, making inquiry in the matter.
§ THE LORD MAYOR OF DUBLIN (Mr. SEXTON) (Belfast, W.)asked whether the Chief Secretary would, in any event, allow of the employment of a person who was by an Election Petition Court found guilty of illegal practices?
§ MR. A. J. BALFOURsaid, he could not undertake to answer abstract Questions like that.